At night baby may have a warm sponge bath, a fresh band, shirt and skirt
put on. In the winter he should sleep in a flannel nightdress and this can
be made with a drawing string or button on the bottom so that he cannot
expose his feet. In the summer he can wear a cotton night-dress and after
the third month the skirt may be left off in very warm weather. By the
time baby has entered his second month he may wear simple little "Bishop"
dresses instead of his plain slips. At the end of the third month, the
flannel band may be discarded, usually, and a ribbed knitted one used. The
band should be of wool in the winter, and of silk and wool in the summer.
It should be put over the child's feet when he is being dressed each
morning, and be changed for a fresh one at night, if possible. If the
baby is healthy he may begin going out in March, if the days are mild and
there are no stormy cold winds. Begin by letting him stay out one-half
hour during the warmest part of the day, then one hour, etc. When there is
much melting snow he should not be taken out. In cold weather the baby's
cap and cloak should be lined with flannel or lamb's wool. Woolen mittens
should cover his hands. A veil is not necessary.
Cap for Baby's Ears.--If baby's ears stand out from his head a
considerable distance, it can be corrected best when he is young. A
skeleton cap is made for this purpose. This can be bought or the mother
can make one out of thin lawn or pieces of broad tape. It should fit
snugly in order to do any good and be worn for some time.
Drooling.--If the baby drools much he is apt to wet any little bib he may
wear and take cold by having damp clothing next to his throat and chest.
Cut a piece of material now made (Linite, by Johnson & Johnson) in the
shape of a bib, and bind with tape. This can be worn underneath the bib.
[ALL ABOUT BABY 555]
Short Clothes About the Fifth Month.--Short clothes should be prepared for
the baby's wear at the beginning of the fifth month, and may consist of a
shirt, knitted band with shoulder straps, flannel skirt made on a cotton
waist, in summer or a flannel one for cold weather, and having a row of
small flat buttons, on to which the white petticoat may be buttoned; a
diaper, and a simple white dress. For summer, white cotton stockings
should always be worn, woolen ones in the winter; and they should be long
enough so that they may be pinned to the diaper. Moccasins or soft kid
shoes should be the first kind worn. At night a baby (in short clothes)
should sleep in a shirt, band, diaper and a night-dress of cotton in
summer, and flannel in winter. The change to short dresses should not be
made in very cold weather; and if the baby is born at such a time as to
make it necessary, he may be put into short clothes as early as the end of
his third or fourth month, rather than to wait until later and make the
change in mid-winter.
Clothing in Summer.--Even in summer, the baby should have clothing which
contains some wool. A mixture of silk and wool or cotton and wool may be
used for the shirt, band and skirt. The band should never be left off; the
shirt may be left off in the hottest weather and the long ribbed band with
shoulder-straps may take its place, but the abdomen must be covered by
means of the band. The nightdress should now be of cotton and the skirt
left off at night, but the band and the thin skirt should be worn. Long,
white cotton stockings reaching to the napkin should be worn all summer,
and not short socks.
The head should be kept cool, therefore do not use a sunbonnet which shuts
out all of the air. Muslin caps and light pique hats provide enough shade,
if the baby-carriage has a parasol.
Creeping aprons can be used for babies. They are made of fine gingham and
may be put over the dress or worn without one in very warm weather. Make
them so as to button all the way down the back, and they sometimes have an
elastic or draw-string run into the hem at the bottom of the apron so that
the white skirts may be kept clean.
For early fall, two or three little jackets of light flannel or cashmere
can be made; and the baby can wear one of these either over or under his
white dress in the morning or evening when it is cool. The baby should be
in the house by six o'clock unless the weather is exceptionally warm. In
the fall, if he has been accustomed to having his nap on the piazza, in
his carriage, a screen should-be placed around the carriage to protect him
from any possible draught. After the first of October, in chilly days, he
should have his nap in the house.
[556 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Winter.--A year-old baby in winter should wear a medium weight wool shirt,
knit band with shoulder-straps, a flannel skirt on a flannel waist, white
skirt buttoned on to the waist of the flannel skirt, woolen stockings
pinned to the diaper, laced shoes, a white dress of some cotton material
and for very cold days, a little flannel, or cashmere sack. At night
should be worn a band, shirt, diaper and flannel night-dress long enough
to keep his feet warm. For an outing in the winter he should have on a
light, but warmly lined coat; a wadded lamb's wool lining is best, but it
is expensive, and flannel may be used. His bonnet should be lined with
flannel; and leggings and mittens should be of wool.
First Half of Second Year.--A baby of this age may wear a thin gauze shirt
with short sleeves, but he should wear under it the ribbed silk and wool
band and also his flannel petticoat during the summer. Summer complaint is
often kept off by such clothing.
Second Half of Second Year.--A baby of this age is too young to walk in
the streets in the winter, and his feet cannot be protected from the damp
and cold sidewalks by the usual roomy shoes. When in the go-cart instead
of his carriage, his legs should be well covered, so that dampness and
wind will not chill and give him a cold. A large bag having a draw-string
at the top is an excellent thing to use for the lower part of baby's body
while in the go-cart, and the strings should be drawn up and tied under
his arms. This bag may be made of any material (warm) from eiderdown,
cloth, flannel to felting; or it may simply be made of an old crib blanket
and a small carriage robe placed over it. Baby's ears should be covered at
this age on very cold days, when out. The baby girl should wear a lined
bonnet, well covering her eyes. Tam O'Shanter caps of angora wool can be
made and pulled down over the eyes for both girls and boys alike; or a
soft felt hat with rosettes of ribbon lined with flannel sewed onto the
elastic can be made for the boy to protect the head and ears.
By the time baby is two years old, diapers should be given up and little
drawers used instead. It may be frequently necessary to use diapers at
night for several months longer, although if the baby be taken up at ten
or eleven o'clock p. m. he will frequently go all night without urinating.
First Half of Third Year.--Children of this age should be put into
night-drawers, cotton ones in summer and flannel ones either with or
without feet, in winter. Tiny overalls or "rompers" are now used a good
deal for both boys and girls while at play.
Second Half of Third Year.--Now he can walk in the street for a little
while each day, even in winter, having his legs protected by warm leggings
and with small rubbers for his shoes when the walks are at all damp.
Woolen leggings should be used.
Children should not be allowed to race about in their night-drawers and
bare feet. They should also have little wrappers and bedroom slippers.
[ALL ABOUT BABY 557]
What About the Nursery? The furnishings should be very simple. No
unnecessary hangings or upholstered furniture. A large room, well
ventilated and one in which the sun shines at some part of the day. The
shades should be dark, but no extra hangings or curtains. Nothing should
be allowed about the baby's crib but what can be washed. The air should be
kept pure. There should be no plumbing, no drying of napkins or clothes,
no cooking of food, and no gas burning at night. A small wax candle will
do for all usual purposes.
What kind of heat is best? An open grate fire is best; next, heat from a
Franklin stove. Steam heat is bad in a nursery. Never use a gas stove
unless for a few minutes during the morning bath.
What should the temperature be during the day? From 66 to 68 degrees with
the thermometer hung three feet above the floor. It should never be
allowed above 70 F. At night, not below 65 F. during the first three
months. After that it may go to 55 F., and after the first year it may go
to 50 and even to 45 F.
Does the fireplace furnish enough ventilation? No, the principal
ventilation must be from the windows.
How soon can you leave the windows open at night? Usually after the third
month, except when the outside temperature is below the freezing point.
How often should the nursery be aired? At least twice a day, after the
baby has had his bath in the morning and also before putting him to bed
for the night. This ventilation should be done thoroughly and the baby
should be moved to another room. In the meantime, any time the child is
out of the room it should be aired.
How can you ventilate the room at night? During the winter, while the baby
is young, the sleeping room may be ventilated at night by opening a window
in an adjoining room; or if the weather is not very severe, a window board
may be used, or a frame on which has been tacked heavy muslin; this may be
from one to two feet high and put into the window like an ordinary
mosquito screen. In summer, a screen around baby's crib will furnish all
needed protection from the open windows.
How does a room that is kept too warm affect the baby? He becomes pale,
loses his appetite, has some indigestion, gains no weight, perspires very
much and takes cold easily.
How early in baby's life may airing indoors be commenced, and how long
continued? When the baby is one month old. For fifteen minutes at a time
at first and may be lengthened ten to fifteen minutes daily. This airing
may be continued in all kinds of weather.
Will the baby take cold? Not if the period is at first short and the baby
becomes accustomed to it gradually. It is a cold preventive.
How should such an airing be given? The baby should be dressed with bonnet
and tight coat and placed in a crib or carriage which should stand a few
feet from the window; all the windows should be thrown open for baby's
airing. Doors should be closed to prevent draughts.
[558 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
How soon can baby be taken out of doors? In summer when one week old, with
eyes thoroughly shaded. In spring and fall usually in about one month; in
winter, when about three months old, on pleasant days, and kept in the sun
and out of the wind.
What time of day is best? A baby may go out almost any time in the early
summer and early autumn between 6 A. M. and 7 P. M. In winter and early
spring a young child only between ten or eleven and three.
Can this be done in all kinds of weather? When the winds are sharp and the
ground covered with melting snow, and when it is very cold, the baby
should not go out. If the thermometer is below 32 degrees F., a child
under four month's should not go out. If below 20 degrees F., a baby under
eight month's should not go out.
What care should be taken? The wind should never blow in the baby's face,
its feet and legs should be properly covered and warm and the sun should
never be allowed to shine directly upon its eyes either sleeping or
waking.
Does this outing do the baby any good? The fresh air renews and purifies
the blood, and this is just as necessary for its health and growth as
proper food.
How does it show in the baby? The appetite is good, also the digestion.
The child sleeps better and all signs of health are seen.
Is it better for the baby to be carried by the nurse in this airing? No,
for it can be made more comfortable in its carriage and as well protected
from exposure.
Is there any objection to a baby sleeping out of doors in the daytime? No,
it needs only to be kept warm and out of draughts. A covered inclosed
porch is a good place.
What can be done for a child that takes cold easily? The room should be
kept cool when it sleeps, the clothing should be light so that he will not
perspire so freely. Every morning the chest and back should be sponged
with cold water, 50 to 60 degrees F.
How should such a sponge bath be given? The child should stand in a tub
containing a little warm water, and a large bath sponge filled with cold
water should be squeezed over the body two or three times. Follow this
with vigorous rubbing with a towel until the skin shows quite red. This
may be given at least at three years old. For infants the temperature
should be 65 to 70 degrees F.