Why is it necessary to weigh the baby regularly? To be able to tell how it
is doing. This is especially necessary during the first year.
How frequently should this be done? During the first six months every
week, and during the last six months at least once in two weeks; once a
month during the second year.
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How rapidly should the baby' gain weight during the first year? During the
first week it loses a few ounces, after this it shows a gain of four to
eight ounces a week up to the sixth month, then two to four ounces a week,
up to the twelfth month.
Do bottle-fed infants gain so rapidly? Very seldom during the first month,
but after that with favorable air and circumstances, the gain is quite
regular, and they may gain faster during the latter part of the first
year, because the nursing baby loses weight at weaning time.
Why do they not gain so rapidly at first? Because it takes a few weeks for
the stomach to become accustomed to cow's milk and until this is
accomplished it is necessary that the milk be made very weak or
indigestion will result.
What is a baby's average weight at birth? Seven to seven and one-half
pounds.
How much should it be at different months at this average birth? At three
months it should be twelve to thirteen pounds; at six months fifteen to
sixteen pounds; at nine months seventeen to eighteen pounds; at one year
twenty to twenty-two pounds. A healthy baby will usually double its weight
at five months and at twelve months it will nearly triple its weight.
Should a healthy baby gain steadily in weight during the first year? He
usually does, but not regularly in every week during the year. There are
periods when most infants do not gain any weight. This is most often seen
from the seventh to the tenth month and frequently occurs when the child
is teething and sometimes in the very hot weather.
Is gaining regularly in weight a sure sign that the child is thriving
normally? Not always, some infants' foods produce weight, but not strength
nor development in other respects.
Can the regular gaining in weight guide us as much in the second year? The
gain after the first year is not so continuous; interruptions occur during
change of seasons, sometimes without any apparent cause.
How soon should a child hold its head up? During the fourth, and sometimes
in the third month, as a rule. If the body is supported the head can be
held erect.
How early does a baby notice things? During the second month he shows
pleasure by smiling and will turn his head in the direction of a sound.
They should be kept quiet, or their sleep will be broken.
What will it do at three months? It will recognize its nurse or mother,
and will smile and "coo" when she approaches, and now for the first time
the tear glands become active and the baby cries with tears. At this age
when taken out he should lie out straight in a heavy folded blanket, or
hair pillow, having a small thin pillow under his head; a hot water bag
should be near his feet; a light woolen blanket or afghan should be put
into the carriage and the baby placed upon it, then it should be carefully
wrapped around him and the outer carriage robe tucked in. These wraps
should be modified according to the weather. Babies should not perspire
much for they will take cold readily; so the covering should not be too
heavy.
[560 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
When does the baby laugh aloud? From the third to the fifth month.
When does it first notice toys, etc.? From the fifth to the seventh month.
At four months he is able to hold his head without support. He begins to
use his hands better. He will often grasp an attractive object; he will
throw it on the floor and expect it to be picked up for him. And also
frequently shows signs of fear at the end of the fourth month, and
strangers will scare him. He can now be played with for a little time
every day, but never before bedtime. The best time is after the morning
nap. Do not toss him about, but be gentle with him or you will make him
nervous and sleepless at night.
What is baby's condition at the fifth month? He is now a bright lively
fellow, and may sit in a half upright position in his carriage or in his
chair for a short time each day. When in his chair he should be tied in, a
soft pad or pillow should be at his back to support him. He now enjoys
exercise on a bed or in a large clothes basket, and may even have one toy
at a time to play with. Do not shake rattles at him. It tires him. His
naps now grow shorter gradually, but he should take two daily; a long one
of two or three hours in the morning and about one hour in the afternoon.
He should not sleep late in the afternoon, or he will not sleep as well at
night. He now "drools." This is a sign of teeth coming, and baby will bite
his fingers and put everything he can hold in his mouth. He may form the
sucking habit now, and if he does, put a small toy in his hand, or dip his
thumb in a solution of quinine or aloes. The habit of thumb sucking is an
ugly one. Another way to stop it is to bind a piece of cardboard on the
arm and long enough to reach a little above or below the elbow. Then the
arm cannot be bent.
Should the baby use an ivory or rubber ring to bite on when teething? A
special cracker is now made in the form of a ring; it is quite hard and
composed mostly of malt sugar and is intended for teething babies to bite
on.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.-1. Teething, What One Quebec Mother did for.--"Rub
paregoric on the gums. This always eased my children."
2. Teething, Novel Canadian Method to Aid in.--"Put a thimble on your
finger and when holding the baby rub his gums gently with it, and let him
chew on it. This cuts the gums and starts bleeding when the baby doesn't
think of it."
How early should a baby be able to sit and stand alone? At seven to eight
months he is usually able to sit erect and support his body. He first
attempts to bear the weight upon his feet at nine to ten months, and at
eleven to twelve months babies can stand without assistance.
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When should a child walk without help? At twelve to thirteen months he
attempts to walk. At fifteen to sixteen months the average child is able
to run alone.
What conditions postpone this? Premature birth, a delicate constitution,
or prolonged illness and especially chronic or digestive disturbances.
Rickets is a common sign of late sitting, standing or walking.
Should you urge a child to walk? No; his muscles and bones may not be
ready. He will walk soon enough if able.
How early does a child begin to talk? Generally a child can say papa and
mamma at one year. The end of the second year the average child is able to
put words together in short sentences.
If a child does not attempt to talk in two years, what should be
suspected? Child may be a deaf-mute or mentally deficient. It is sometimes
seen in children who are very backward.