THE BETTER MODE OF WASHING THE NEW-BORN.
Washing is the name given to the old method. Cleansing is the proper one
for the new.
How to proceed: A soft, white, all-wool blanket, about two yards square,
should be always in readiness when a birth is expected. Not necessarily
new, but pure, never having been used about fever patients, or about the
dead. A metallic slop-pail with cover, that all secundine particles may
be put out of sight; the same serving as a vessel for the woman to sit
over. As soon as the babe is freed from the mother, it should be wrapped
in the blanket and laid aside in a comfortable place. After the mother’s
safety is assured of, prepare thus to clean and dress the babe: Secure a
comfortable position, with plenty of light and ventilation, as far from
the confinement bed as possible. Have a stand or covered chair, upon
which to place the half of a small teacupful of fresh hog’s lard or
sweet oil. If in a cold room, warm the grease by setting the cup in hot
water for a few minutes. Have a piece of soft, all-wool flannel, about
the size of your pocket-handkerchief, another piece half as large, and
two pieces of soft linen or cotton about as large as your hand. A piece
of lamp wicking or several strands of white spool cotton, to be used in
re-tying, in case of bleeding from the cut end of the cord. The infant
may then be brought forth, held on the lap, or laid on two chairs. As
many babes have open eyes as soon born, it is best to dip a small piece
of the soft linen or cotton in the grease, and wipe the inner edges of
the lids first of all, as the drying on of the chalky substance or other
matter with which the child’s face may have had contact, while coming
into the world, may, as I have before said, be the first cause of sore
or inflamed eyes. Then proceed with the small piece of flannel, well
saturated with oil, to clean the face, ears, nose,—avoiding the
eyes,—neck, chest, under the arms and between the fingers. Wipe dry with
the clean, large piece of flannel. Those parts can then be covered with
a part of the blanket, and the lower extremities cleaned with care.
Should there be dried blood from the cut end of the cord, moisten with
warm water, and wipe it off. Then proceed to clean and examine well all
the private parts. When done, cut a hole in the piece of cotton, linen
or batting, as it may suit, about the size of your hand, through which
slip the cord, fold it closely, but flat and smooth, and lay it over to
the left side of the belly, that it may not intercept the circulation of
the liver, which is situated on the right side. Then secure it with an
all-wool flannel band. The band should be made so as to include a shirt
with long sleeves. It should extend from over the teats down below the
hips. There never would be swelling of the breasts of infants if the
bands were purposely made wide. The natural office of the mamma in
girl-children, has been destroyed by repeated pressing of the teats with
the mistaken purpose of “getting out the milk.” Narrow bands are
worthless. If they shrink they should be pieced out or replaced with
new. The band securely placed,—a flannel roller, plain slip and napkin,
is all that is required for the first dressing. It often happens that,
after “washing” and dressing by present methods, blood oozes from the
cut end of the cord. Seldom does this happen by the new method,—I should
say, my method. Sometimes the fault is in the manner of tying, or from
imperfection of the cord itself. In any case the cord should be re-tied,
or the bleeding otherwise stopped, and the infant kept warm till medical
aid can be summoned. To return to first dressing: After the wraps have
been drawn up over the feet, the head should be thoroughly greased and
cleaned, taking care not to press the bones in the least. Pressure upon
the head at birth may be the means of stupidity, or even idiocy, during
life. The baby’s mouth should then be swabbed out with a clean, wet
cloth, and the little one laid down in quiet. Babies usually sleep
during the procedure, as does the mother, she waking only to find her
babe by her side, “all warm, sweet and clean,” and “mamma didn’t even
hear it cry once.” One trial of this method is convincing of its
benefits. If soap is used with grease, it acts the same as suds into
which new cotton cloth is put. No good laundress will meet with such an
accident, if possible to avoid it. And surely no careful nurse will
allow her little charge to suffer by having to stop and change the
water. Moreover, in the absence of soap, there is no liability to
chapped skin, glandular sores, sore eyes, ears, and crusty scalp.
Especially should the scalp be well cleaned, and kept so; as it not only
adds to the tidy appearance of the child, but favors an even, healthy
growth of the hair bulbs. The foundation for a love of cleanliness can
best be laid in infancy. There are many adults who desire good hair, yet
do not or will not know that combing the hair daily, and keeping the
scalp clean and cool, promotes a healthy growth of the hair.