Examines advice on infant nutrition given to mothers by health professionals since the 1940s and looks at ways that mathematics has been used to position women and health professionals and influence their behavior. Argues that a particular kind of mathematics and an authoritarian, transmission mode of learning are used by health professionals--particularly doctors and infant welfare nurses--when communicating with mothers. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (Author/VWL)