99^ The Cornell Reading-Courses 



the pinning blanket with its diaboUcal power of repressing necessary 

 freedom has been discarded. The length and strength of the binder 

 has been limited. 



The ideal to seek in providing the child's clothing is looseness, lightness, 

 warmth and cleanliness. 



The binder is still worn and should consist of a bias unhcmmed strip 

 of flannel 28 inches long and about four inches wide. This binder is 

 easily washed, exerts an even pressure, is elastic and yields to the movement 

 of the child's body, and supports the abdomen without uncomfortable 

 binding. It is pinned in place with small, strong safety pins. This is 

 worn until the child's abdominal muscles are strong. It should be kept 

 clean and changed with the rest of the clothing. 



The shirt. — The next garment is the shirt. This should be of fine, 

 soft material. The best fabric for shirts is a mixture of part silk and part 

 wool, or part cotton and part wool. This mixture shrinks less and 

 hardens less in washing than all wool. 



The diaper is best made of a soft grade of cotton diaper. It should 

 not be too large nor have too many thicknesses as it interferes with right 

 development of the bones of both pelvis and legs. A better arrangement 

 is to provide square pads made of soft cotton and easily washed and 

 place these in the center of the diaper before it is pinned on. The diaper 

 should not be so tight as to constrict the child's pelvis and back, nor so 

 thick as to spread the bones of the legs. Much harm is done by careless 

 adjustment of this garment. The diaper may be fastened to the shirt 

 with safety pins. 



The slip. — Over the diaper and shirt in cool or cold weather should go 

 a flannel slip, in summer one of some lighter material. It should be a 

 simple garment hanging loose from the shoulders and having sleeves. 

 It should be about eight or ten inches below the feet and is more convenient 

 if made by the same pattern as the dress but one-half inch smaller. It is 

 best made from a mixture of cotton and flannel and requires careful 

 washing to keep it soft. 



The dress or slip should be made one-half inch larger in all measure- 

 ments save length and one inch longer than the flannel slip. It should be 

 made of some soft white cotton material without dressing and should 

 never be starched. The simplest, prettiest and most comfortable baby 

 dresses are made without tucks, without trimming, and with soft, simple 

 bands at neck and wrist. 



Socks may be used, but if the child's clothing is drawn well around the 

 legs no further protection is needed. Stockings which pin to the draper 

 are sometimes advocated. The objection to these ie, they are often wet 

 with the diaper and must be changed and washed each time, or else they 

 are a source of danger rather than protection to the baby. 



