Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-06
Care of Infants.

In these Gays OF BABY Shows and prize in
| fants, it may not be amiss to offer some assis.
tance to young mothers in the care of their off.
spring, and with this view we copy the follow
ing:
df 1t is evident that there is not only something,
but much, the matter, with the present prevail
ing treatment of infancy and childhood. One
fourth of the race die the first year. and one
half before five years. Can this be the ordina-
ton of Providence? Is this to be always so?
The farmer does not lose one half of his.ealves,
coss or pigs in any corresponding period
What is the matter? 41aJ- ict
We find the following directions aAoat.-
They seem to us as eminently just, though a
little extreme, perhaps, in some particulars
sgesshould like however, to see them followed
out few times, that the effect might be ascer-
Prior to the growth of the decidous teeth,
let the food be that and that only which nature
has provided. Let this rule be as fixed as the
laws of the Medes and Persans. Milk should be
the food for the first year of life, until the first
teeth are grown, No exception TO this rule.
During the presence of the first crop of teeth,
until the permanent and adult teeth are mature,
let the food of the child be new milk and cold
wheat bread. A better regimen cannot he
obtained. It's Just what the growing body
wants to make it vigorous, sound and durable.
Let the infant and the child have its food bat
three times in twenty four hours. And let these
periods be as regular as the sounding of the
clock. Never disobey this injunction. At
once adopt this rule. Feed the child nothing
after sundown, or before sunrise.
From birth, battle the infant in cool water,
each day. Be in this unvsrying, followed by
dry friction. Let the clothing be comfortable,
but very loose and flowing. Caps, skirts shoes
and waists are wholly mischieveous and unwar-
rantable and dangerous to life. Linen, gown,
drawers. stockings, and blanket, are all that
the infant should wear. At this period of life
be simple in dress Study the physical comfort
of the child and not a vain mothers tastes.
Put the infant upon neat, comfortable, yet
comparatively hard bed; let this be in safe
crib. Let this be its home. Handle it as little
as possible. Do not carry it, or hold it. New
er move it suddenly by its arms. Atits meals,
&C., it must be removed from its crib. but let 1t
be done with great care. 1t wants no more
exercise than it takes itself It's own motions
should be free, wholly untrammeled. Remem-
Der that it must not be handled, tossed, carried,
held, but allowed to remain in its little home.
The great propnyiatic against summer com
plaint and difficult teething, is habit from
birth. Cultivate uniformity in all its wants
and offices. In nothing are mothers more faulty
than in the treatment of infants. The practi-
ces of all here are alarmingly pernicious. Line
upon line is needed
AS soon the children can creep and run, they
should be allowed to do so to their full stisfac-
ton. A room or safe yard should be set apart
for their particular use. ...., ..
Sleep should be regulated with the most ex-
act order. Regularity in this will save i'm
mense annoyance, pain and nervousness.
IT'S ruinous to childhood to eat at the tables
of adults SO loaded are they with all kinds
of drinks and edibles, that if they eat them,
they form taste for all, and soon eat some of
all. which are to their tender stomachs most
mischievous Children should have simples-
bread and milk should be their food Prairie
Farmer.