1. The first thing to be done ordinarily is to give the little
stranger a bath by using soap and warm water. To remove the white
material that usually covers the child use olive oil, goose oil or
lard, and apply it with a soft piece of worn flannel, and when the
child is entirely clean rub all off with a fresh piece of flannel.
2. Many physicians in the United States recommend a thorough oiling
of the child with pure lard or olive oil, and then rub dry as above
stated. By these means water is avoided, and with it much risk of
taking cold.
3. The application of brandy or liquor is entirely unnecessary, and
generally does more injury than good.
4. If an infant should breathe feebly, or exhibit other signs of great
feebleness, it should not be washed at once, but allowed to remain
quiet and undisturbed, warmly wrapped up until the vital actions have
acquired a fair degree of activity.
5. DRESSING THE NAVEL.--There is nothing better for dressing the navel
than absorbent antiseptic cotton. There needs be no grease or oil
upon the cotton. After the separation of the cord the navel should be
dressed with a little cosmoline, still using the absorbent cotton. The
navel string usually separates in a week's time; it may be delayed for
twice this length of time, this will make no material difference, and
the rule is to allow it to drop off of its own accord.
6. THE CLOTHING OF THE INFANT.--The clothing of the infant should be
light, soft and perfectly loose. A soft flannel band is necessary only
until the navel is healed. Afterwards discard bands entirely if you
wish your babe to be happy and well. Make the dresses "Mother Hubbard"
Put on first a soft woolen shirt, then prepare the flannel skirts to
hang from the neck like a slip. Make one kind with sleeves and one
just like it without sleeves, then white muslin skirts (if they are
desired), all the same way. Then baby is ready for any weather. In
intense heat simply put on the one flannel slip with sleeves, leaving
off the shirt. In Spring and Fall the shirt and skirt with no sleeves.
In Cold weather shirt and both skirts. These garments can be all put
on at once, thus making the process of dressing very quick and easy.
These are the most approved modern styles for dressing infants, and
with long cashmere stockings pinned to the diapers the little feet
are free to kick with no old-fashioned pinning blanket to torture the
naturally active, healthy child, and retard its development. If
tight bands are an injury to grown people, then in the name of pity
emancipate the poor little infant from their torture!
7. THE DIAPER.--Diapers should be of soft linen, and great care should
be exercised not to pin them too tightly. Never dry them, but always
wash them thoroughly before being used again.
8. The band need not be worn after the navel has healed so that it
requires no dressing, as it serves no purpose save to keep in place
the dressing of the navel. The child's body should be kept thoroughly
warm around the chest, bowels and feet. Give the heart and lungs
plenty of room to heave.
9. The proper time for shortening the clothes is about three months in
Summer and six months in Winter.
10. INFANT BATHING.--The first week of a child's life it should not be
entirely stripped and washed. It is too exhausting. After a child is
over a week old it should be bathed every day; after a child is three
weeks old it may be put in the water and supported with one hand while
it is being washed with the other. Never, however, allow it to remain
too long in the water. From ten to twenty minutes is the limit. Use
Pears' soap or castile soap, and with a sponge wipe quickly, or use a
soft towel.
[Illustration]
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