The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-05-31
INFANTS TROUSsEAU,

INFANTS TROUsSEAU.
How much of love. how many fond
anticipations and baby aspirations, as
pirations seemingly so wild that few
would dare give them utterance, are
stitched into these dainty garments.
There is more of poetry than of prose in
the fashioning of these tiny clothes,
whether they be plain or elaborate,
whether prepared in lowly homes or in
princely palaces, whether measured for
mortals or fashioned, many of them,
for fairies. That they are to be the
swaddling clothes of those who shall be
rural sons Of toll. never seems possible
when we note the dainty linen, the ex-
quisi'e lace, the fine embroidery. Mott
must be future president, senator, or
at least an author who wears them and
should the new conner prove of the
gentler sex, then she must be pre-emi-
nent above others when she reaches her
full stature. But, spohistry and idle
prophecy aside, babies must have clothes
for be they prince or peasant never yet
did one of them bring theirs with
| them.
We can for convenience, divide the ar
tlcles into necessaries and luxuries. To
those living in large cities with well
filled purses, to visit the heavily loaded
counters, advice is not so necessary,
since deficiencies in baby's wardrobe
can be easily made up whenever appar-
ent. Many mothers, however, must
either do without or manufacture them
themselves, perhaps at a time when
strength and leisure are more severely
taxed than before the little ones pres
ence made visible the deficiency. The
first requisites are reliable patterns, with
such guides the merest novice will have
no difficulty in deciding how to proceed.
This paper, therefore, will be confined
to the other points; what to have, and
how many of kind.
FIRST the napkins: These should be of
two sizes and two materials, One dozen
of a kind is the smallest number allow
able, two dozen is better, not admit of
the accumulation of soiled ones, to in
sure proper supply in case of sickness
and to avoid the danger of using the
partially soiled ones, One size should
| be of linen one yard long. The other
kind we intend for the inside only, and
should be of canton flannel ten inches
square. to furnish good absorbing ma
terial and at the same time of small
bulk. More children are made bow
legged from the great bulk of napkins
used, for the purpose of protecting the
nurses and infants dresses from being
soiled, than by too earl y standing on the
feet. A prominent surgeon once said,
"a pound of absorbent cotton and
gentleman's silk handkerchief were
Ienough to last an infant six months
However that may be, certainly, in the
majority of cases, there is too much bulk
and another important point is to avoid
pinning them too tight. A smaller
number than that mentioned will, of
course answer, but in case Of sick
nesses, which infants are liable to,there
is no article more useful, none that the
supply is so soon exhausted, and in some
cases the infants life has paid for using
these too freshly laundried; and as they
are inexpensive, don't scrimp here.
Bands are also necessary. They can
be made of either flannel or linen, the
lodges turned once only and cross-stitch-
ed down, but after the first month, knit
bands are much better for they hug the
bowels closely, do not slip and work
into hard ridges, making baby's life
miserable, and all necessary support is
lgiven by the skirt bands. If wool knit
shirts are used, as they should be, ten
months out of twelve, at least, even the
knit band can be dispensed with. Let
nurses and the husbands mother hold
up their hands in holy horror as visions
of baby with an aldermanic stomach or
an arched spinal column rises before
them, they are wrong. Insist upon it
that your child shall not be rolled in
yards of tight bandages. We are horri-
fled at the bandaged feet of the Chinese
girls, but some of our household pets
have their little bodies almost as tightly
swathed. Three or four linen or flannel
bands will be needed, three if you use
knit ones. and the knit bands can be
used up to two years of age.
OF shirts, whether linen or muslin,six
p will not be any too many. Three knit,
long sleeved shirts should be provided
for the cooler months.
The pinny, or half skirt is not q neces-
sity, but a convenience as it can be
doubled up over the feet, insuring extra
warmth, Two will answer, three will
be all that will ever be needed.
OF skirts, three long plain flannel
skirts, for every day and one handsome
! one for best" are great plenty. Use
! flannel that has some cotton in, as it
does not full up so badly from washing.
Two flannel skirts can be made TO do
duty, but it will necessitate the using Of
the same skirt at night that is worn
during the day, and also more frequent
laundering, to be avoided when mother
does all the work,
To these add one or two cambria
skirts for state occasions. To avoid the
extra band with these, finish the top
with narrow band having button holes
to receive buttons placed on the flannel
l-1- 60, 10,
Three cotton night slips will be suffi-
cient, though four wonld be more con-
venient
OF dresses, there can be an unlimited
number, but remembering long clothes
are worn but for few months, unless
YOU have an abundance of time, strength
and money, don't make too many or too
elaborate. Jaconet, cambria and main
sock are the best materials. Three Of
them should be plain slips for morning
wear. two or three, more dressy for
afternoon and perhaps one quite fine
one. Many do not change baby's dress
for afternoon unless in case ofaccident,
then, of course, with the exception of
one or two fancy ones, the other hive or
six should be of style at once tasteful
and easily laundred.
This comprises all the necessary arti-
Giles, but few may be mentioned that
will prove very serviceable, which are
apt to be forgotten. First, little double
gowns of calico they are so handy to
put on baby mornings when he insists
on being at the six o'clock breakfast, or,
when for any cause, he must be up in
the night. They are warm and so much
handler than shawl.
One or two knit sacques or else little
flannel blankets to put on cool evenings
or chilly days in summer which are so
prevalent in some sections of the coun-
try.
A rubber bib to be worn under the
pique, one to keep the dress clean don't
make the mistake of using it alone, when
baby begins drooling it will be found
that it acts only as a conductor. Apro-
pos of this for the nurse or mother
rubber apron may be recommended. 1t
will save its price many times over. The
use of rubber diapers is not advisable
except when travelling or on special oc-
casions; their constant use encourages
lazipess on the part Of the nurse and
many times causes severe lntertrigo.
Prepare instead little square OF cotton
batting covered with muslin and tufted
for night use. Little boots and mittens
will, of course, be provided,
it is unnecessary to speak Of cloaks,
capes, etc., since so much depends on
place, time and purse.
As adjuncts to the infants wardrobe,
two or three long white aprons, for