The Journal-Lancet, Vol. XXXV, No. 5, March 1, 1915 The Journal of the Minnesota State Medical Association and Official Organ of the North Dakota and South Dakota State Medical Associations

Step back into a bustling 1915 medical conference, where a leading pediatrician unpacks the dramatic swings in infant‑feeding theory over the previous two decades. He challenges the rigid four‑hour feeding schedule, arguing that longer intervals give a baby’s stomach a chance to rest and improve digestion. Yet he also acknowledges that some newborns, especially those breast‑fed, may need more frequent meals to meet their caloric needs.

The lecture then turns to the unrivaled value of a mother’s milk, highlighting its role not just in growth but in passive immunity—protecting infants with antibodies passed directly through the breast. He examines why early weaning has become common, often due to misconceptions or minor nursing difficulties, and offers practical solutions like alternating breasts or brief mixed feeding. Listeners will gain a window into early 20th‑century pediatric wisdom, still resonant for anyone caring for a newborn today.