The Mother and Her Child

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CARE OF THE BUTTOCKS

Often, because of irritating bowel movements, the buttocks become
reddened, chafed, and sometimes raw in places. Some poor little babies
are sometimes roughly rubbed--scoured on the buttocks--much like the
kitchen sink, many times a day, and it is not surprising that they
become reddened, chafed, and very much inflamed.

The buttocks require a gentle swabbing and thoroughgoing "patting dry"
after each soiling or wetting of the diaper, but no soap is required
in this region but once a day, and even then it should be used
sparingly.

When the buttocks are inflamed, after a good cleansing with water and
a thorough drying, vaseline or zinc ointment should be applied on a
piece of sterile cotton, and this application should be repeated after
each changing of the diaper. Wet diapers should be removed at once,
for the acidity of the urine causes more chafing. A dusting powder
composed of starch two parts, and boracic acid one part, may be dusted
on after a cleansing with oil.

Great care should be exercised in the thorough daily rinsing of the
diapers as well as in the tri-weekly boil in the laundry. White soap
only should be used in their cleansings; no washing sodas or other
powders should be used.

OTHER SPECIAL CARE

Under the arms and in the creases of the neck the skin sometimes
becomes irritated because of neglect. To prevent such chafing the
following program should be carefully carried out:

1. Not too much soap--and no strong soap.
2. Careful rinsing of the skin area.
3. Avoid harsh rubbing, but thoroughly dry.
4. The use of talcum powder in all folds of the skin.

With a fine camel's hair brush the hair should receive its brushing
after the cleansing of the scalp. Combs are for just one purpose and
that is to part the hair. The brush should be used to do all the
smoothing.

While the frequent trimming of the hair has no marked effect upon its
growth, yet the comfort the little girls enjoy, especially during the
warm-weather months, should not be denied them.

And certainly the boy should become a boy when he puts on trousers and
not be made the laughing stock of his mirthful companions just because
his "beautiful long curls are much admired by the mother and his
aunts."

The finger nails should be trimmed round with the scissors, while all
hangnails are properly cared for every day. Toe nails should be cut
straight across and the corners never rounded off. Many ingrowing
nails may be thus avoided.

CHAPTER XXI

BABY'S CLOTHING

The Eden story suggests that in the beginning of our racial experience
artificial clothing was unnecessary; but after a time, in that
selfsame garden, proper clothing became an important problem and has
remained so ever since. Everybody seems to agree, however, that baby's
clothing in particular should at least be comfortable. It may give the
child great discomfort because it may be too warm, or it may not be
warm enough, or it may be too tight, and so, in the discussion of
baby's clothing in this chapter, we are going to keep in mind these
two things--comfort and heat.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS

The choice of material demands some thought and attention. As a rule,
baby's clothing materials should be light in weight, good moisture
absorbers, and at the same time able to retain the body heat. Most
layettes have the common fault of being prematurely outgrown; and so
it is well to allow for ample growth in making baby's first clothes.
Since the principal object of clothing is to insure a uniform body
temperature, it is important that the mother be constantly on her
guard to keep the baby cool enough in the summer and warm enough in
the winter.

The mothers of various races and nations have their own ideas
concerning the clothing of their babies. One mother will wrap her baby
in cotton, which is held in place by means of a roller bandage, and as
you visit this home during the first week of baby's life, you will be
handed a little mummy-shaped creature--straight as a little poker--all
wrapped up in cotton and a roller bandage. The surprising feature is
that the baby does not seem to complain.

In another district of the city we find the baby dressed in starched
clothes, ribbon sashes, bright ribbon bows on its arms and around its
neck. At first glance you wonder if the little child is not many years
older and is about to make a visit to a county fair, but on inquiry we
find that he has only been prepared for the event of circumcision on
the eighth day.

And if you go into the forest of primeval days you will find another
mother bandaging her baby to a board, head and all, and he seems to
live and thrive in his little woven nest strapped on the back of his
Indian mother.

Other babies in the warmer portions of the earth have almost less than
nothing on, and are left to be swung by the breezes in little baskets
tied to the boughs of trees; being taken up only when it is time to
feed.

BABY'S LAYETTE

In preparing an outfit for the newcomer it is wise to provide for the
necessities only, because of the fact that since the baby grows very
fast the layette will soon have to be discarded; it is always possible
to get more clothing after the baby is here and started on his little
career. We offer the following list of essentials for the new born
baby:

Slips 8 to 10
Skirts (flannel) 3
Shirts 3
Light-weight wool wrappers 2
Abdominal bands 3 to 5
Diapers (first size) 2 doz.
Diapers (third size) 2 doz.
Stockings, pairs 3
Booties, pairs 3
Nightgowns 7
Handling blankets 2
Silkaline puffs 2
Baby blankets, pair 1
Hair or cotton mattress 1
Basinet 1

BANDS AND SHIRTS

The binder should be made of an unhemmed strip of flannel six inches
wide and twenty inches long, so that it goes around the abdomen once
with a small overlap. This binder should be sewed on instead of being
pinned, and serves the purpose of holding the dressings of the cord in
place. It is usually worn from four to six weeks, when it is replaced
by a silk and wool barrel-shaped band with shoulder straps and tabs at
the bottom, both front and back, to which may be pinned the diaper.
This band is worn through the first three or four years to protect the
abdomen from drafts and chilling, thus guarding against those
intestinal disturbances which are caused by sudden weather changes.

There is great danger of having the bellyband too tight, and, in the
early weeks, it is often the cause of great discomfort--often
interfering with the normal expansion of the stomach at meal time.

No matter what the season, the new-born baby should be clothed in a
light-weight silk and wool shirt, preferably the second size. After
the first month, if the weather is exceedingly warm, this woolen shirt
may be displaced by a thin silk or lisle shirt. In buying the
second-size shirts always secure the stretchers at the same time, for
in the laundering they soon shrink so that they are very uncomfortable
for the young babe.

DIAPERS

There are a number of materials on the market from which comfortable
diapers may be made for the baby. The cotton stockinet (ready-made
shaped diaper) is excellent, fitting smoothly at the waist, while it
is large and baggy at the seat, thus permitting not only a comfortable
feeling but the free use of the hips, without the bulkiness of the
ordinary diaper.

The large square of cheesecloth is easily laundered, and if an inside
pad is used makes a very acceptable diaper.

The stork diapers are made of materials resembling turkish toweling
and are used to some extent. This diaper should not be confused with
the stork rubber diaper which will be spoken of later.

Birdseye cotton is popular and extensively used. It absorbs quickly,
and is much lighter in weight than linen. The first- and third-size
widths should be purchased as a part of the layette, and the number of
diapers needed depends upon the opportunities to wash them out, for
diapers are never used but once without washing; they should always be
quickly rinsed and dried in the sunshine if possible. So if there are
good laundry privileges, and daily washing is possible, the mother can
get along with fewer diapers, but no less than four dozen should be
provided.

The diaper pad will be found convenient and serviceable in the early
days when the skin of the child is so very tender. This pad should be
pieces of clean old linen or small pads of absorbent cotton.

CHANGING THE DIAPER

During the mother's waking hours, the diaper should be changed as soon
as it is soiled or wet. If the child cries during the night it should
be changed immediately, but the mother should not feel called upon to
lay awake nights merely to change the baby's napkin when it is soiled.
If she places a pad underneath the baby, which will absorb the urine
quickly, he often does not awaken or become chilled. The pad should be
sufficiently thick to ensure that the nightgown does not get wet.

RUBBER DIAPERS

Rubber sheeting diapers of any description should never be used. Avoid
all patent diapers with a covering or an inner lining of rubber, for,
like the rubber diaper, they not only irritate the child but also
retain moisture and heat, which produce such irritation and itching
that the subsequent "habit-scratching" often lays the foundation for
future bad practices. It is far better for the mother to carry about
with her, whenever it is necessary to take the baby away from home, a
rubber pad which she puts on her lap underneath the little fellow,
thus affording ample protection to herself without in the least
harming the baby.

STOCKINGS AND BOOTIES

During the winter months merino stockings are required, while during
the summer months a thin wool or silk stocking is sufficient; on the
extremely hot days thin cotton hose may be worn. During infancy, the
stockings should be fastened to the diaper with safety pins, while on
the second-year child, hose supporters attached to the waist are found
very convenient.

A friend told me the other day of a mother who told her the following
story: "Do you know, I don't have any trouble any more about my baby
keeping up his socks for I have fixed it so they won't come off any
more. Every time I looked at his feet he had kicked off his socks and
they were no good to him at all, so I took little chunks of brown
laundry soap, moistened them and rubbed his legs, as well as the
inside of his socks and I never, never have any more trouble with them
coming off."

It does not seem possible in this enlightened age that a mother could
be so ignorant as to keep the socks up with brown soap, but the friend
assured me it was a true story, and while it may shock some of my
readers as it did me, I must add, in passing to another subject, that
the use of round garters on little babies and young children is just
about as shocking.

During the fall, winter, and spring, booties are worn on top of the
stockings. These booties should be crocheted or knitted out of the
heavy Germantown yarn, and there should be enough of them so that the
child may have a clean pair on every day.

SKIRTS AND PETTICOATS

The flannel petticoat is made with yokes instead of bands, and during
the fall, winter, and spring these yokes are made of flannel like the
skirt and should have long sleeves of the same material. The yokes
should be made large enough so that they may be used during the entire
first year (the plait in the front can easily be taken out when the
baby is six months old so that it may be used much longer than if the
yoke is made without a plait). For the hot summer months, the yokes
should be a thin cotton material without sleeves; and, if the baby is
housed in an over-heated apartment, this fact should be borne in mind
and the winter skirt should be made accordingly. We have found,
however, that the baby who is amply protected and uniformly dressed,
does not require the outer bundlings that the poorly dressed child
requires. Part wool and cotton materials are very comfortable in the
overheated city apartments. White skirts are not necessary for small
babies. They only add extra weight and it is always foolish to put
anything on a small baby simply for looks.

NIGHTGOWNS, WRAPPERS, AND SLIPS

The nightgowns should be made of soft cotton flannel or stockinet. The
latter is really the better, and can be purchased in sizes up to two
years; it is absorbent, easily laundered, and may be conveniently
drawn up at the bottom by means of a drawstring.

At least seven nightgowns are needed. A fresh nightgown should be used
each day and each night during the first four or five weeks of baby's
life; while as he gets older (two or three years), the night drawers
with feet in them are used to advantage.

The wrappers are usually made of challis, nun's veiling, cashmere, or
other light woolen materials which can be readily washed. They are
very serviceable to wear over the baby's thin slips and on cool nights
they may be used over the nightdress. They should be simply made,
containing no heavy seams, and at the neck there should be the
simplest kind of a soft band that will in no way produce friction or
in any other way irritate the baby's skin.

Slips are usually made of some very soft material such as nainsook,
batiste, pearline, or sheer lawn cloth. Twenty-seven inches is the
length that will be found both comfortable and convenient. All laces,
ruffles, and heavy bands which will scratch or irritate should be
avoided as eczema is often caused by such mistakes.

SLEEPING BAG

The sleeping bag is of inestimable value, affording extra and secure
covering for the child, and peace of mind for the mother. In the early
weeks it should be made of light flannel, but as the child gets older
the sleeping blanket is made according to illustration (See Fig. 5) by
merely folding a blanket in such a manner that the child cannot
possibly uncover himself. The mother can sleep undisturbed, knowing
that the baby is always safely protected by at least one warm blanket
cover.

COMMON FAULTS WITH MOST LAYETTES

As a usual thing the first clothes are made too small. The sleeves are
too short as well as too small around. There is nothing more
uncomfortable than a tight sleeve. Everyone of our readers knows that,
and we recall one poor little fellow who kept up a fretful cry until
we took the scissors and cut the tightly stretched sleeve up to and
including the arm hole. He then relaxed and went to sleep. Sleeves
should be made two inches longer than they are needed at first, and it
is a very simple matter to pin them up or turn them back at the wrist.
They should be loose and roomy.

The yokes of the dresses usually are too tight before the slips are
discarded. Heavy seams and raw seams irritate and often make ugly
impressions on the baby's skin.

Usually the first layette is profusely embroidered, and, while it is
beautiful to look at, the mother feels when she sees it outgrown so
quickly that a lot of vital energy was wasted on garments that
mattered so little as long as baby was comfortable. Baby is dear and
sweet enough without the fuss and furbelows of such elaborate
garments.

Heavy materials are sometimes used where lighter ones would serve
better.

ERRORS IN CLOTHING

A soiled garment should never be put back on the baby. Dirt draws
flies, and flies are breeders of disease. Sour-smelling garments
should be changed at once. They are likely to make the baby sick and
interfere with his appetite if left on indefinitely. The care of the
diaper has already been mentioned.

The main symptom of too much clothing is sweating, and when the baby
sweats something must come off. If he has perspired so much that his
clothes are moist, the clothing should be changed and the skin well
dried with talcum powder. The feet and hands should be kept warm, but
the little head should always be kept cool. When the baby is crying
and getting his daily exercise, remove some of the covering, loosen
his diaper, and let him kick and wave his arms in perfect freedom.

When the baby's feet and hands are cool he is not warm enough. Cotton
underskirts cannot be used in the dead of winter on little babies.
They do not hold the body heat as woolen garments do. The baby's feet
should always be warm and this is particularly necessary in poorly
nourished children. The outer wrapper of woolen material should be
added to such baby's clothing. It is a safe rule to follow that if
baby's hands are warm and he is not sweating, he is "just about
right."

SHORT CLOTHES

At the age from four to six months, baby's clothes are shortened. This
should not take place at the beginning of winter if it can be avoided.
If the first layette has consisted of only the necessary garments,
they are nearly worn out by the time the short clothes are due; of
those that do remain, the sleeves should be lengthened, the arm holes
enlarged, and all the little waists let out. Creeping garments and
bibs are now added to baby's outfit, as well as leggings and other
necessities for outdoor wear. Remember that all garments must be
loose--then baby is happy.

About the same number of garments are found necessary for the short
clothes as were required at first; except that a large number of
creeping rompers should be added. These creeping rompers should not be
made of dark materials that do not show the soil. We desire the dirt
to be seen that we may keep the baby clean, and if the creeping romper
is made of a firm, white material it may be boiled in the laundry,
thus affording ample and thorough cleansing.

We attributed a sick spell of one baby to the dark-blue calico
creeping romper which he wore day in and day out because it "did not
show" the soil. White ones are much to be preferred, not only for
looks but chiefly for sanitary reasons.

CAPS AND WRAPS

The cap should be made of a material that will protect from drafts and
cold air, but not of such heavy materials as will cause too much
sweating. There are a number of outside wraps that can be purchased
ready-made and which are comfortable, convenient, and warm. They
should be long enough not only to cover the baby's feet well, but to
pin up over the feet, thus giving good protection from winds and
drafts.

During the summer months nainsook caps or other thin materials are to
be preferred to the heavy crocheted caps that are sometimes worn by
babies. No starch should be used in the caps or strings, and there
should be no ruffles to scratch the delicate skin of the baby. In all
these outer garments, as well as the under garments, the irritation of
the skin must be constantly borne in mind, as eczema is often produced
in this manner.

THE FIRST SHOES

The first shoe that is usually worn during the creeping days is a soft
kid shoe without hard soles. It is important that this soft shoe be
worn to protect the child's foot from chilling drafts while creeping
about.

As the baby nears one year of age the hard-sole shoe is secured which
must be wide, plenty long and comfortable in every respect, and
without heels. Rubbers and overshoes may be worn on damp and cold
days. Moccasins and slippers do not give sufficient support to the
ankles, so, when the baby begins to walk, the shoes should be high and
of sufficient support to the tender ankles.

PLAY SUITS

As the baby grows up into the child, the tiny clothes are laid aside
and the boy is given substantial garments that in no way remind him of
girls' clothing. A child's feelings should be respected in this
manner, and while it often adds joy to the mother's heart to see her
boy "a baby still," remember that he is not only chagrined but is
nervously upset by these "sissy clothes."

A child three or four years of age should still wear the woolen binder
supported from the shoulders, over which is the union suit, stockings,
and the buttoned waist from which hang the hose supporters. The most
comfortable and easily laundered garment we know of for the small lad
is the "romper," which should be made of washable materials that may
be readily boiled. For cool days a Buster Brown coat of the same
material, with patent-leather belt, may be slipped on over this
washable romper--which completes the boyish outfit.

We recall the pleasant days with our own little fellow when he was
between the ages of two and one-half and five years. We were often
compelled to be away from home--on the train, in the hotel--and when
traveling we used a black, smooth silk material which was made up into
rompers with low neck and short sleeves. There were three such
rompers, and two Buster Brown coats with wide, black, patent-leather
belts which completed the traveling outfit. During the warm days on
the train the coat was folded carefully and laid aside. In the early
morning and in the cool of the evening the coat was put on, and he
always looked neat and clean. At night, before undressing him, the
entire front of the romper was cleansed with a soapy washcloth,
rinsed, and rubbed dry with a towel, and, after carefully spreading to
avoid wrinkles, it was hung over the foot of the bed. The coats were
sponged or pressed once or twice a week, and this simple outfit served
its purpose so well that it was repeated three different summers.

The little girl as she leaves her babyhood days should be put into
garments that do not necessitate the constant admonition, "Keep your
dress down, dear." We like to see knickerbockers, the exact color of
the dress, made for every outfit, in which the little girl may kick,
lie down, jump, dance, climb--do anything she pleases--unmindful of
the fact that her "dress is not down." The same undergarments are used
for the little girl as were mentioned for the little boy.

WINTER GARMENTS

Always bear in mind the over-heating of the child with heavy garments
indoors, and the danger of skin chilling and drafts on going out to
play in this over-heated condition. Let the children dress comfortably
cool in the house, and as they go out to play add rubber boots or
leggings and rubbers, sweaters, caps with ear laps or the stockinet
cap. Allow them the utmost freedom in clothes, and always encourage
romping in the cool frosty air.

CLOTHING RULES

Do not overload the baby with clothing.
Dress according to the temperature of the day and not the season of
the year.
Avoid starched garments.
Avoid tight bellybands or old-fashioned pinning blankets.
Change all clothes night and morning.
Use woolen shirts and bands.
See that hands and feet are always warm.
Protect the abdomen night and day with the band.
Use the sleeping bag on cold nights.
Baby should sleep in loose stockings at night.
Avoid chilling the child.
Use hot water bags if necessary.

CHAPTER XXII

FRESH AIR, OUTINGS, AND SLEEP

Fresh air is just as important and necessary for the baby as for the
adult. Neither baby, youth, nor adult can receive the full benefit of
his food--in fact it can not be burned up without the oxygen--without
an abundance of fresh air. During the early weeks of life, the air
baby breathes must be warm; nevertheless, it must be warmed _fresh_
air, for baby requires fresh air just as much as he needs pure food.

INDOOR AIRING

The delicate child often requires more fresh air than does the normal
baby. Both appetite and sleep are improved by fresh air. The digestion
is better, the cheeks become pink, and all the signs of health are
seen in the child who is privileged to breathe fresh air.

During the early days, say after the third week, baby should be well
wrapped up with blanket and hood, tucked snugly in his basinet or
carriage, while the windows are opened wide and the little fellow is
permitted to enjoy a good airing. Even in the winter months the
windows may be raised in this way for a few minutes each day. These
"airings" may be for ten minutes at first, and, as the child grows
older, they may be gradually increased to four or five hours daily.
The carriage or basket should stand near the window, but not in a
direct draft.

OUTDOOR LIFE

In summer, a baby one week old may be taken out of doors for a few
minutes each day; in the spring and fall, when baby is one month old,
it may go out for an airing; while, during the winter months, the
airing had better be taken indoors until he is about two months old,
and even at that age he should go out only on pleasant days and should
always be well protected from the wind.

A young baby may enjoy the fresh air in his carriage or crib on the
porch, on the roof under suitable awnings, in the yard, under the
trees, and even on the fire escape. In fact, at proper age and in
season, he may spend most of his time out of doors in the fresh air,
if he has proper protection from the sun, wind, and insects.

BEST HOURS FOR AIRING

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