The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-11-08
Too MANY Nurses.


Gun placently, and handled the Little
bundle of flannel and embroidery so
deftly as to awaken the wonder and
envy of the new aunties, who were al
lowed to tip-toe in, to take their first
view of the new baby, and to declare
with sundry wise looks and mods, that
the little wrinkled red face was per
feet beauty, and the image of both
father and mother" kilograms flew
hither to Mrs. Fitch, the new baby's
new grandma on the mothers side,
and to Mrs. Allen, the new grandma
on the fathers side, to announce that
the baby had arrived. The new papa
walked down the street to the tele-
graph office with such a satisfied
smirk on his countenance, the passers-
by could not fail to question as to
what good fortune had befallen the
man.
Next morning came telegram
from Grandma Fitch, saying that she
had started for the Allen mansion, and
should be with them by afternoon;
aud in the afternoon came telegram
from Grandma Allen that she was en-
route for the same destination, and
would reach there the next morning,
and by the following evening both
grandmas sat in state at either side OF
baby's cradle, impatiently waiting for
the first appearance Of their grand
sons waking to catch him up and re-
new their almost lost art OF baby
tending. If Grandma Fitch was SO
fortunate as to get possession first, she
Immediately wandered off into remi-
niscences of the babyhood of her
daughter, and compared the present
habits, looks, etc, of the new baby. to
that period of her daughters life. Or.
if the favor fell to Mrs. Allen, it was
quite wonderful how many character
istics the child had like its father at
the same stage of life.
Under the care of the much-respect-
ed nurse. both mother and child
throve. But there came a day when
another new baby was expected in an
other family, and after many kisses,
and for the future welfare Of her
darling cherub,' nurse and her capa-
cious corpet-bag took their departure
for new scenes and new triumphs.
MY DEAR" said mother Fitch as
the door closed upon the departing
nurse, Il did not. like to find fault
with your nurse, but | can't say al
together liked her treatment of baby,
and now she's gone will soon have
things different. I'll go put on my
afternoon cap and then I can take
him when he wakens"
I'm really glad that nurse is
away" mused Mrs. Allen as she peep
ed from hercham Der window; II new
er saw woman with so many new
tangled notions, and Lizzie's mother
is no better. | only thought to stay
week or SO, but it's my duty to stop
and get the child into regular habits.
There's everything in starting right,
and it shan't be my fault if my sons
child isn't brought up in the way it
should 60"
Il never put baby in the bath-tub
till it is at least six months DID," said
Grandma Allen, as the young mother
was preparing her baby's morning
bath, "a sponge-bath does just as
much good"
Il always put my babies right into
the water, almost from the first
north. There's nothing like getting
them used to it, and it strengthens
their little limbs so much" and
Grandma Fitch nodded her head in a
mildly emphatic manner.
"Oh yes" chimed in mamma, II
just long for the time when baby will
splash around. He really seems to
enjoy it now, and fairly screamed
xrybo,, ,,,,r,o 4ooI- l,;,,, o,,4
yesterday"
Screamed with cold more likely.
Poor little thing. If l had my way,
that bath-tub would be lugged up to
the attic for four months yet"
But nurse said that baby slept bet
ter after his bath, and that the more
he slept the. stronger he grew; and he
seems always as warm as toast.
Nurses don't know everything.
I've brought up seven Of my own, and
| don't believe babies can be kept too
warm"
"And | think most babies are kept
altogether too warm. They are taken
out to ride muffied up to the nose,
with heavy worsted veil over the
rest of their face; and when the wraps
are taken off, they are such a profuse
perspiration, ten chances to one they
do not take cold, and pave the way
for catarrh, and weak lungs. | think
the habits Of toasting baby by hot
stove, and Of covering their heads
when asleep, most pernicious ones. |
hope Lizzie won't be afraid to give
her boy plenty Of water and fresh air. p"
The battle once begun, knew no
wavering. Grandma Allen, firm in
her own conviction of what was for
the welfare of her grandson, yielded
not one jot; while Grandma Fitch,
whose old heart was tender yet, and
who loved the baby with a love born
of such tenderness, worried, and fret
ted, and tried in mild way to gather
some comfort for the babe in this un-
comfortable world. If baby was go
ing for an airing, grandma number
one muffied it up till hardly square
inch Of flesh was visible, while grand
ma number two slipped out the side
gate, and as soon as the door closed,
hurriedly removed ii blanket or two,
took up her knitting SO demurtly that
no suspicion was aroused. Did the
baby cry, Mrs Fitch knew the baby
was hungry and it must be fed.
Il never fed baby oftener than
once in three hours. Half the babies
cry because they are overfed."
''Why, [ fed Lizzie herself every
two hours, and there never was Il
healthier infant. [ think myself if
mothers had fewer rules and more pa
tience, there'd be fewer fretting ba-