Evening star., 1902-09-02
CARE OF THE BABY.
Hints for Young Mothers in the Care
of Their Children.

From the Woman's Home Companion.
If young mother is anxious for her wee
baby to grow into a healthy, strong child
she must follow out hygienic principles;
and fortunately for the coming generations
more attention Is now paid to such things
than in the days Of our grandmothers. No
matter how many servants a woman may
have at her command. there are a few
duties which mother should intrust to no
one. Two Of the most important are the
bath and the preparation of the food, pro-
viding the infant is artificially fed.
In order to give the bath properly the
water should be at the right temperature
and this for child until he is several
months old should be at 9s degrees Fahren-
heit This is gardually lowered until at
six months the temperature for a healthy
infant should be 95 degrees Fahren-
heit. The water is tested by means
of thermometer which comes for that
purpose. If the skin of the infant Is very
tender and excoriated, salt bath Is of
benefit The solution is made by adding a
large handful of salt to a gallon of water
The bath should be given in a warm room
that is free from all draughts.
The articles that are especially needed
during the undertaking are small tin
bath tub, a testing thermometer. a cake Of
the best CASTLE soap, two sponges-a small
fine one for the face, and a large. coarser
one for the tbody-a soft towel and talcum
baby powder. The mother should wear a
flannel or outing flannel apron, with which
she can protect the baby during the drying
process. The bath should be of short dura-
ton, and the body dried quickly especial
attention being paid to the creases, that
they are not left damp. II 1t is found that
the child looks cold and blue after the
bath. the tub should be abandoned for the
sponge bath until the child is in a more
! healthy and vigorous condition. The bath
should not be given for an hour after the
meal. and it is wise to give it at the same
In the morning is usually a convenient
time.
When 1t is time for a baby to take his
sleep, see that he is comfortable with an
appeased appetite. dry napkins and a quiet,
darkened room. and then put him down
while awake and allow him to go to sleep
by himself: for II once the rocking habit
| Is established 1t Is hard to break it. A
| crib without rockers is the best to USE 1t
should have a rather firm hair mattress and
small pillow for the baby's head In
summer this pillow can be made Of hair
The mistake is often made Of putting too
much covering over an infant when asleep
! II it Is noticed that the child is restless at
| the time. try lessening the covering. The
clothing of an infant should be loose and
comfortable, with all skirts suspended from
I the shoulders Pinning blankets are often
responsible for the collie. due to cold feet.
1 is used to keep the feet warm" but with a
| vigorous child the feet will more often be
| found out than In 1t. In its place use a skirt
| and waist in one piece and its advantages
\ will be remarked.
The sanitary condition OF the nursery is
! an important matter. First OF all 1t should
be the sunniest and best ventilated room In
/ the house, free from plumbing and prefer
ably one the second floor Babies will not
1 thrive as well where the conditions are neg
/ lected, but organic matter will. Ventilation
| is imperative and can be secured by means
1 of ventilators In the windows. An open
| fire furnishes t.o best heat. Avoid gas
/ stoves, which are very deleterious to child .
health The furnishings of a nursery should
be light and Of such material that can be
easily renovated. A bare floor with few
| rugs upon 1t is much more hygenic than
/ a carpet. The window hangings should be
/ white and the shades green