THE BABY’S CLOTHING
=Suggestions for demonstrations.= =1.= Show samples of clothing for
a baby. =2.= Demonstrate how to dress a baby in hot weather. =3.=
Demonstrate how to dress a baby in cold weather.
=Clothes.= The clothing must always be roomy and loose and adapted to
the season, climate, and temperature.
FIRST SET OF CLOTHES
Four flannel binders
Four knitted bands
Three shirts and three nightgowns
Three flannel gertrudes
Three dozen diapers
Four long white dresses
=Flannel bands.= These bands should be made of all-wool flannel, four
inches wide and about twenty-eight inches long, that is, long enough
to reach twice around the baby’s body. They should have no hems and
should be fastened at the left side with small safety pins. Bands must
be adjusted with great care; they should not be drawn too tightly, but
should be made so snug that they will neither slip down and bind the
baby’s legs nor slip up and interfere with the expansion of the chest.
[Illustration: BABY CLOTHES]
=Knitted bands.= Knitted bands may be of wool and cotton or of silk and
wool. Next to the smallest size is the most practical one to buy. It
should fit snugly, should not wrinkle, and should not have rough seams.
=Shirts.= Baby shirts come in several sizes and weights. It is well to
begin with the second size, as the first size is so soon outgrown. They
should be high-necked, long-sleeved, and should open all the way down
the front. Silk and wool is the best material because it is light in
weight and wears well. The lightest weight should be worn in summer, a
little heavier weight in the spring and fall, and a still heavier in
the winter. There is a tendency in winter time to use shirts that are
too heavy. The result is that the baby perspires too freely. This makes
his clothing damp and renders him more liable to take cold. Babies
living in overheated houses and wearing clothing that is too warm
soon become sensitive to cold and drafts and are less able to resist
sickness.
=Flannel gertrudes.= The gertrudes should be made of all-wool flannel
or of wool and cotton. They should open on the shoulders.
=Dresses.= The dresses should be simply made of soft material. They
should be laundered without starch. Both the shirt and the dress should
be loose around the baby’s neck and arms, since any tightness or
roughness in the clothing may irritate the skin.
=Nightgowns.= Nightgowns may be made of flannel, stockinet, cotton,
or flannelette. The winter nightgowns should be long enough to allow
the bottom to be closed by a draw string. This will make sure that
the baby’s feet are covered at all times even if he kicks off his
bedclothes.
=Diapers.= Diapers should be made of bird’s-eye linen, cotton, or
stockinet. For a young baby they should measure about eighteen or
twenty inches square and be folded but once. Never use a folded inside
diaper, as a wad of thick material between the legs is injurious. A
small inside folded cloth five inches square may be used, or a quilted
pad about ten inches square may be laid under the baby after the diaper
is on. This pad will protect the skirts from urine. During the mother’s
waking hours the diaper should be changed as often as it is wet or
soiled. In the night it should be changed when the baby is taken up for
feeding or if he is restless.
All diapers should be washed each time after they become wet. The soap
used in washing them should be carefully rinsed out, and they should
be boiled thoroughly at least twice a week. A careless soaking and
wringing through one or two waters is not an adequate cleansing. Care
must be taken in selecting the soap to be used in washing the diapers,
since some soaps will cause an irritation of the skin, even when the
clothing has been well rinsed.
=Stockings.= It is important to keep the baby’s legs and feet warm.
Stockings and diapers should meet. In cold weather the baby should wear
stockings; in summer he will not require any covering for his feet.
=Short clothes.= The baby should be put into short clothes about the
fifth month, for at that time he begins to show signs of wanting to
use his legs and to kick. It is not wise, however, to make this change
during very cold weather.
=Clothing in summer.= The greatest care should be taken to see that the
baby is not dressed too warmly in summer. Too heavy clothing whether in
summer or in winter will make him perspire too freely and render him
more liable to colds and bowel troubles. The mother should feel of his
body occasionally; if she finds it constantly moist, the clothing is
too warm. In summer only the thinnest undershirts should be worn, and
warmer outer garments should be added as it grows cool toward night.
Light-weight knitted or crocheted jackets are easily made.
=Clothing in winter.= Clothing should always be adapted to the season.
If the baby is not dressed warmly enough, he will have cold hands and
feet, and his legs and arms will be bluish. A baby must have fresh air,
but his body must be kept warm. This is most important; unless this
is done his vital force will be lessened and he will not gain as he
should. When taken out he must be warmly dressed with a long woolen or
wool-lined coat with a shoulder cape. In cold weather a silk cap with a
lining of wool is best. Take care that the neck of the coat and the cap
ribbons are not too tight. Leggings will be necessary after the baby is
in short clothes.