The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-21
CARE OF THE BABY.
Hints for Young Mothers in the Care
of Their Children.

From the Woman's Home Companion.
If a young mother is anxious for her
wee baby to grow into healthy,
strong child she must follow out hy-
gienic 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 q few du-
ties which Il mother should intrust to
no one. Two of the most important
are the bath and the preparation of the
food. providing the infant is artificial
ly fed.
In order to give the bath properly
the water should be at the right tenn
peva ture. and this for a child until he
Is several months old should be at 9S
degrees Fahrenheit. This is gradually
lowered until at six months the tenn
perature for a health infant shauld he
- degrees Fahrenheit. The water is
tested by means of n thermometer
which comes for that purpose. If the
skin of the infant is very tender and
cXcoriated. Il salt bath is Of benefit.
The solution is made by adding large
r'he bath should be given in Il warm
room that is free from all draughtS
The articles that are especially need
ed during the undertaking are a small
tin bath tub, a testing Thermometer, a
cake Of the best castillo Soap,tWo
spOngcs--a small, fine one for the fact,
and large, coarscr one for the body
"a soft towel and talcum baby pow
der. The mother should wear a flannel
or outing flannel apron. with which she
can protect the baby during the dry
ing process. Tho bath should be of
short duration. and the body dried
quickly. especial attention being paid
to the creascs, that they are not left
damp. II it 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 he given for an
hour after the meal, and it is wise to
give il at the same hour every day.
Between . and 10 o'clock in the morn
ing is usually a convenient time.
When it is time for baby to take
his sleep, see that he Is comfortable
kns and n quiet, darkened room, and
then put him down while awake and
allow him To go tn sleep by himself;
for if once the rocking habit is estah-
lished il is hard TO break it.. a crib
without rockers is the hest to use. 1t
should have a rather firm hair mat
tress, and small pillow for the baby's
head. In summer the pillow can be
made of hair if desired.
The mistake Is often made of putting
too much covering over an infant when
asleep. If it is noticed that the child
Is restless at the time, try lesseninS
the covering. The clothing of am in
fant should be loose and comfortable,
with all skirts suspended from the
shoulders. PmniAg blankets are often
responsible for the collie, due to cold
feet. Some mothers may say, "A PIN
ming blanket is used to keep the feet
warm" but with a vigorous child the
feet will more often be found out than
In it. In its place use a skirt and waist
i'm one piece and its advantages will be
remarked,
The sanitary condition Of the nursery
is an important matter First of all it
should be the sunniest and best venti-
lated room i'm the house, free from
plumbing and preferably on the second
floor, Babies will not thrive as well
where the conditions are neglected. but
organic matter will. Ventilation Is i'm
perative ana can be secured by means
of ventilators in the windows. An
open fire furnishes the best heat. Avoid
gas stoves, which are very deleterlous
to child's health The furnishings Of
n nursery should he light and of such
material that can be easily renovated.
A bare floor with a few rugs upon il is
much more hygienic than a carpet.
The window hanginss should be white
and the shades green.