(From α priv. and lacto, to suckle.) Ablactation, or Weaning a child from the breast. Also called Apogalactismus. When the mother wants health, or strength; is affected with any constitutional disease, or the milk is in small quantity; has too small nipples, or ill-formed ones; when the infant will not take the breast; - it is adviseable to wean the child; indeed, often absolutely necessary. It can never be useful to continue the breast more than eight or nine months; but-generally, if a child is favoured with a good supply by sucking, during its first three or four months, and is healthy, it will rarely be the worse for weaning at a more early period. If it feeds well with the spoon, and is free from disorders in it6 bowels, a tendency to convulsions, etc. weaning may be attempted at any time. But, if the-child refuses to feed; or, though the diet be changed to gravy and beef tea, the bowels should be disordered, another nurse should be sought for, and weaning must be deferred until more favourable circumstances attend. In general, the sooner a child is weaned, the more easily it parts with the breast. Prudence directs to accustom a child to early feeding with the spoon, and to continue it until the breast may be wholly omitted. In general, children should be fed during the first months three or four times a day; and, if not suckled in the night, once at least, if not twice, during that period. Suckling in the night should, if possible, be avoided; for the mother, especially in the higher ranks of life, wants some hours of respite. If the child is early brought to regular hours of feeding, it will soon give little trouble.

The food should be simple and light; without wine, or spices. Well fermented bread, baked hard, and reduced to powder, will make a proper food, when boiled smooth in water. Should the stomach be flatulent, a few-caraway seeds may be added. If this food turn sour, beef or mutton tea (prepared by infusion only) may be occasionally substituted, or a little beef gravy may be given. A child will in feeding always first endeavour to drink. He may be allowed to do so with moderation. A little time should be suffered to elapse, and the soaked bread should then be offered. If refused, he may drink again, but in less quantity; and should he still refuse the bread, it is a sign that he docs not require any solid food. In feeding, he should be in a sitting posture, or, if recumbent, should be occasionally raised, gently moved, and amused. After feeding, he will soon sleep; but a child should never be awakened, unless the sleep be uneasy or morbidly continued. - Moss, Cadogan, and Armstrong. See Teething.