BABY 



BABY 



daily, in order to keep the pores in such a con- 

 dition that they will do their share of the work 

 of throwing off waste matter. Very hot or 

 very cold baths are not advisable. Inhaling 

 ntc as essential as bathing, for 

 lungs need oxygen as much as the body 

 needs the cleansing medium of water. It is 

 highly important, also, to keep the bowels mov- 

 ing every day. All the household tasks should 

 be performed in well-ventilated rooms, and Un- 

 sleeping room should be especially looked 

 after in this matter. If possible the expectant 

 mother should have an outside bedroom. Eight 

 hours of sleep at night and a daily nap or rest 



period are essential. Violent exercise and 

 laborious work of any sort should be avoided, 

 but the muscles must not be allowed to grow 

 flabby and weak through inaction. A daily 

 walk in the open air and such household tasks 

 as are not tiring may be continued to the last. 

 The clothing should be loose and comfortable, 

 and lacing be avoided as dangerous to both 

 mother and child. It is also unadvisable to 

 wear tight gloves or shoes. 



The child of clean, healthy parents, with 

 wholesome mental and physical habits, will U 

 certain to possess the heritage of the well-born 

 a strong mind in a strong body. 



Care of the Baby 



There is nothing more helpless than a new- 

 born infant. At the time of birth and for 

 many months afterward it is absolutely de- 

 pendent on others for everything. For this 

 reason the care given the young child should 

 be intelligent and systematic. The suggestions 

 that follow apply, of course, to the average 

 normal child. A sickly baby must have treat- 

 ment and care which can be prescribed only by 

 a physician familiar with the child's special 

 needs. The baby who comes into the world 

 in good health will develop normally if ade- 

 quate attention is given to such essential mat- 

 ters as cleanliness, fresh air, sleep, hygienic 

 clothing and habits, and proper feeding. 



Cleanliness. The daily bath not only adds 

 to the baby's comfort, but is necessary 

 for its healthful development. After the child 

 is ten days old it should be bathed in a little 

 tub of its own. For the average baby the water 

 should be at a tempera- 

 of 100 F. during 

 the i.t weeks; 



it may then be lowered 

 to 88, and from tin- 

 seventh to the tu 



ith may be kept 

 at 96. During the 

 second year a temper- 

 ra of 85 to 90 is 

 advisable. The mother 

 should see that baby 

 has a tub, wash cloths, 



own, and that these 

 are kept scrupulously 

 clean. Sponges are 

 liable to become breed- 

 ing places for germs, 



and can well be dispensed with. The young 

 baby has tender skin and should be patted, 

 not rubbed, dry. In some cases the use of 

 water is postponed until the third week, oil 

 being used instead. Just as soon as the first 

 teeth come they should be brushed with a 

 small soft brush; unless the mouth becomes 

 infected it need not be washed until the 

 teeth come through, for pressure upon the 

 developing teeth may break the delicate mu- 

 cous membrane. After the teeth appear the 

 mouth should be washed daily. The cloth- 

 ing should be kept dry and clean, and be 

 washed only with pure soap. Thorough rins- 

 ing is far more important than starching, 

 hing about the child should be clean 

 and sanitary the furnishings of its bed and 

 carriage, its toys and the people who care 

 for it. 



Fresh Air and Sleep. No baby will thrive 

 without an abundance 

 of pure fresh air. fix- 

 in severe winter 

 weather the child 

 should be taken out 

 for a daily airing; 

 when bad weather pre- 

 this, it should 

 be dressed warmly and 

 the windows of the 

 nursery be thrown wide 

 open for a half hour 

 or more. If the 

 riage or crib is placed 

 near a window and 

 protected from drafts,' 

 the good effects of the 

 outdoor airing may 

 be had indoors. It is 



