The suburban citizen., 1901-02-09
a GsA&,AlG.Al.. 70 :, lizl.z5
MSSSeEHBB
REALM OF THE NURSERY
Advice TO Mothers on the Care Of Infants
The Healthy Child

- hN AHhAAHe NhAAN'
1t is claimed by medical men gener-
ally that the average child is born
healthy, and the mother who aims to
preside over well regulated nursery
will put forth every effort to keep her
child in its normal condition.
There are training schools for nurses
and for cooks but for a young woman
to be trained to proper motherhood is
something yet q be accomplished in
the new century.
The careful mother begins by being
systematic and punctual in all that is
done for the baby, She has a time for
everything, and sees that everything is
done at the propec time. She has
learned that the important things
necessary for the healthful develop
ment Of any child are exercise, air,
cleanliness, correct food and sleep.
The most beneficial exercise for
baby to indulge in is a good, healthy
cry. The mere fact that an infant
breathes is not enough; the lungs must
be expanded, and this healthy cry is
the thing intended to do it, but a whn-
ing, fretful cry is not a healthy one.
1t is claimed that baby cannot have
too much oxygen, and while a very
young infant ought not to be taken out
In the open air, yet the air in the nurs.
cry can be changed frequently. at least
twice every day, when the child can he
taken from the room while the bad air
is "blown out" through open windows.
If the temperature of the room is low
cred too much, wrap the child up in n
blanket when returned, until the right
degree is reached.
A most important item In the baby's
training Is the bath, which means more
than a little sponging off once n day
The child should be allowed to splash
in tub Of water each morning about
an hour after feeding The massage
If the muscles and rubbing of the skin
which a bath makes necessary bear
arge share toward making the healthy
,hild.
A baby whose food is received with
absolute regularity seldom suffers
rom indigestion, if the nature Of the
'ood is carefully looked after The
eeding hours should be so arranged
hat the evening meal will come at
)'clock Before feeding baby should
be made ready for the night, with no
wrinkles in the clothing or safety pins
% irrtate the tender flesh, and with
both hands and feet made warm. A
7oung infant generally requires feed
ng twice during the night
Milk that is to be used for food for
infants should never be put in an open
vessel in the refrigerator where meat
md vegetables Of various things are
sept for nothing wi1l absorb odors
more quickly than milk. Neither
should it be kept in tin, but in covered
glass bottles or jars. The simplest way
% preserve milk for infants is by Pas
.eurization. This is done by submit
ing the milk to temperature of about
L55 degrees for fifteen minutes, and
hen allowing it to cool rapidly. The
bottle Of milk may be placed in a YES
sci of boiling water at the right tenn
oerature to Pasteurize IT, thus destroy
ing ordinary germs without giving the
milk q boiled taste. It is best to pre-
pare the food for an infant in sufficient
quantity each morning to last through
the day.
When the baby is old enough to be
taken out for an airing, the wrappings
must be carefully considered. 1t is
found that the majority of infants in
their baby carriages on the streets in
winter are too warmly wrapped up.
The child that is so encased in fur
that it perspires from every pore is in
fair condition for an attack of pneu-
monia or any one of the throat troubles
which attack infancy. 1t is Of vital i'm
portance, however, that the feet and
hands should be kept warm, in which
case the child is not likely to suffer
from cold. Better than a fur rug un-
der the child is hot water bottle, not
laid close up against the feet, but far
enough off 10 let the heat radiate from
the bottle. The small hands, encased
in wooden, can be tucked under the
carriage blanket in extra cold weather.
When the baby is taking an airing,
the strong wind should be avoided
that is, facing it. The sun or strong
light should never be allowed to shine
lpon the baby's eyes when asleep in its
carriage as much harm results from
this, often seriously if not permanently
lnjuring the sight This is an unfortu-
nate mistake which is constantly being |
made by the ignorant mothers among
the poor-New York Tribune.