The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-06-25
sAsY's GAME OF "soAP FISH,"
Methods OF Bathing Big and Little Babies
what Fuu the Tots Have In the Tub.


Bathing childl A very simple thing,
one would think, to tell the proper way
of bathing child? Yes, il children |
were all the same age; If they would |
only "stay put" as my old nurse used
to say. But little baby must be
bathed in one way, and big baby in
another, and growing child" in an
other.
The first rule in regard to bathing
should be that golden one which we'll
known water-cure physician had in
scribed on every door in his establish
nent:
go NOT COLD INTO ANY BATH y
The child must be warm, or harm
may come instead of good.
Another rule is that no bath should
be taken soon after eating. The rule
for older persons is two hours after II
full meal, but q little baby's meals are
so quickly digested that the time may
be somewhat shorten ed. never however.
to less than one hour. The room should
also be warm. about 6Sc, and there
should. nay, there must be no draughts.
The first bath of the newborn baby
are taken in the lap of the nurse, who
washes the tiny creature with warmed
water and little soap. After two or
three days the nurse pours the water in
Il large basin, and lays the baby in 1t,
supporting his head and back carefully;
and probably she will tell the young
mother afterwards how he stretched
out his arms and legs and enjoyed the
oath just like real person, bless his
little hearth
The basin bath is generally given for
week or more. but before the mother
takes care of the baby herself, he should
be well accustomed to the full bath in
the nursery tub.
The tub may be of tin, porcelain or
india rubber (this last material is very
convenient for people who are liable to
move or travel about good deal), and
| should be long en- ough for the child to
lie at full length.
To give child its bath the mother or
nurse (but it would better be the
mother; why should she lose one of the
most delightful things in all baby tend
!ng?) ties on her flannel apron.
She spreads piece of felt. or oil
cloth or an old blanket on the floor, so
that baby may splash as much as he
likes without spelling the carpet, and
clothes are laid ready on chair close
on this she sets the tub. The
at hand, where she may reach them
without moving-each article in the or
der in which it is to be put on that
there may be no delay in hunting for
this or that, while the basket stands
ready with safety pins, vaseline, pow
der, brush, etc.
If the baby be little one the ther-
mometer will be needed, and the water
kept at blood heat, cold water being
added little by little as the child grows
older and stronger.
By and by the mothers thermome-
ter" the elbow, will be exact enough,
and later still, when the child is two or
three years old, may come the refresh
ing shock of the cold water-in summer,
that is; in winter the first chilli should
always be taken off, though not the
freshness and coldness.
Now the water is poured into the tub,
and all is ready. The mother takes a
large square of cotton flannel and lays
it over her apron, then she takes up the
|
ly, dries them thoroughly, and then
puts him into the tub.
Why does she wash his face first? BE.
cause it is not comfortable to have ones
face wet and water tricllling down ones
nose and into ones eyes all the tim, one
is taking ones bath. Try it and see!
Once in, let the business be got
through with first! Tilt him bach
against your left han d, supporting him
well, and wash his h cad: do this quick
ly, for he probably detests it. Rub with
soap such parts as needs it. / like t.
use soft cloth for this, as soap makes
the sponge Shiny and unpleasant
Here some one may say: but so many
doctors say nowadays that soap is bat
for the sllin!'
1 know that; but do not believe the
doctors are in the habit of washing
children, or they would know that ont
cannot keep their hands and their knee
and the backs os their precious neck
clean without it.
Business over the fun begins Th,
mother squeezes the sponge over tht
plump shoulders, over the dimplet
arms; fills it full and squeezes it again
This is the game of Niagara Falls.
The baby chases the soap here ant
there catching it, losing it, screaming
I with delight.
This is the game of soap fish" HI
lies at full length, kicking his heels
while the mother supports his head anC
makes him comfortable; he rolls owe
on his stomach and kicks again, jubi
lant enraptured, young amphibian il
his native elements.
But the wise mother will not let hin
stay in too long. The brief deligh
over, he is lifted out sleek and drip
) ping; enveloped instantly in a big
towel (smooth if he be little, rough if h,
, be big), which lies ready at hand, ant
rubbed nightly.
, The mother spares no strength IL
, rubbing. Every part must be thor
oughly dried with the towel; when this
, is done she rubs him with her hands, VI
: and down and all over, and then sh,
, claps him all over with swift, light
5 strokes-'percussing" is the proper
{ word for it'll he glows from head t.
foot, warm and rosy as peach that
! ripens in the sun.
, Now the cotton-flannel square il
slipped out and thrown aside, and,
seated on the warm, dry flannel apron
the baby is ready to be dressed.-Lalra
, Richards, in Boston Globe.