FEEDING AND CARE OF INFANTS 781 



No fears whatever need be entertained that the child 

 will contract a cold by taking a cool bath. The whole 

 surface of the body should be thoroughly rubbed. It 

 is also well to anoint the skin as often as every other 

 day with some fine unguent, as olive or cocoanut oil, 

 or vaseline. Fine castile soap should be used in the 

 bath every day or two. 



Sleeping.— A healthy child sleeps nearly five-sixths 

 of the time during the first few weeks of its life. The 

 infant should be taught to go quietly to sleep while 

 lying in its crib, without rocking, petting, or carrying 

 in the arms. If the child is taught correct habits at 

 the start, it will give much less trouble than if humored 

 and petted until it makes unnecessary demands. The 

 face of a child should never be covered during sleep, 

 as it, like older people, needs an abundance of fresh 

 air. As a general rule, it is better that the infant 

 should not sleep in the same bed with an older person, 

 even its mother. In cold weather, when it needs addi- 

 tional warmth, one or two large bottles filled with 

 warm water may be laid beside it. Its crib should be 

 well padded upon the inside so as to protect the child 

 from injury from the hard framework. 



Exercise. — Although it is unnecessary that infants 

 should be constantly carried about, which is injurious 

 to them as well, it is important that young children 

 should be taken up several times a day and carried for 

 a few moments. This is especially true in the case of 

 very feeble children. If allowed to lie too long upon 

 the back, congestion of the lungs may be occasioned. 

 After an infant is a month old, it may be safely taken 

 out in pleasant weather at any season of the year, pro- 

 vided it is properly protected. In cold weather it is 

 better that the child should be carried in the arms in- 



