Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-11


that water is as essential to child in
ternally as externally. A drink of water
should be given to the baby regularly
every day between nursing periods.
Fretfulness on the part of an infant is
often an indication of thirst-a natural
craving which, in many instances, is
never gratified because of ignorance on
the part of it's mother or nurse. The
water should be sterilized and allowed
to cool. 1t should be drawn from the
cold-water faucet, after it has run off for
couple of moments, not using the water
lying in the pipes when it first flows out
The vessel in which the water is put
on to boil should be scrupulously clean
When boiled, it should be set aside to
cool, closely covered until needed, and
given by the teaspoonful or from the
nursing bottle little at time to satisfy
the thirst.
A little hot water by the spoonful will
afford relief when the baby shows signs
Of distress or pain from Indigestion
hatulence or collie. In the last-named
case flannel cloths should be also steep
ed in very hot water, wrung out wei
and applied to the abdomen, the applica
tons being renewed every five or ter
minutes.
OXYGEN FOR THE BABY.
Fresh air constitutes another vita
factor in the life of the infant. The
daily outing should commence even il
cold weather when the baby is two weeks
old. 1t should be well wrapped up anC
carried in the arms. BY the end of the
third month it should he kept out o.
doors in its carriage during the greater
part of each day. In severe weather
hot water bottles may be placed in the
carriage at the feets and sides of thu
infant. Its covering should be warn
but not heavy.
An important feature in this connec
ton, yet one which is criminally disre
garded is that of shielding the baby's
eyes from all glare as it lies in it's car
riage, either with the hood of the car
riage or parasol with dark-green lining
A white-lined parasol intensifies thu
glare. Even on slightly overcast day
the reflection from above is too strong
for the unprotected eyes of a young
child lying PROSTATE in it's carriage.
The baby should take as much sleeI
as possible out of doors, excepting, o.
course, the nap which comes immediate
" after its warm bath in very colo
weather.
Fresh air is a perfect tonic, and thu
child who lives out of doors continuous
ly, inhaling pure oxygen, will sleep bet
ter at all times; it will develop ant
thrive more satisfactorily and will be fal
less apt to catch cold than the chile
kept indoors.
know three physicians homes where
the baby carriage, with its occupant, il
in evidence on the veranda at all times
of the day, even in rainy weather (wel
protected, of course), when not being
wheeled up and down the street. Ant
two of these babies were originally ex
tremely delicate, but both are now eX
ceptionally well and robust.
IN REGARD TO SLEEP.
The calm, restful sleep of an infant
establishes an indication of its good con
dition. There is one evil in this con
nection against which young mothers
cannot be too strongly warned, viz, thu
use of any so-called soothing" aids
toward inviting sleep. The child who is
properly and regularly nourished, giver
its daily bath and unlimited pure, fresh
air, and clothed comfortably, should
sleep WELL If it does not then thu
situation should be looked into and cor
rected through the offices of reputable
physician. No narcotic, no soothing
potions will do other than aggravate anC
extend the trouble. No matter how
plausibly advertised or convincingly
recommended, let the young mother who
values her child's well-being refuse tt
be influenced toward allowing hersel
ever to experiment with such banefu
feature. There are in all of these prepa
rations certain drugs which, in com
polling sleep, exert immediate as we'll a.
lasting perniciOus effects upon nerves
brain, digestion-in fact, upon the gen
eral system. No drug should be giver
by the young mother unless recommend
ed by physician.
WEIGHING THE BABY.
A young infant should be weighed
regularly every Yeek-a practise estab
fishing convincing proof of its essentia
progress. A baby in normal health gains
twice it's original weight by the end o.
its sixth month, and three times the
same weight at the end of year.
GOING AWAY TO THE COUNTRY.
Among the articles which should bt
taken, especially if one expects to locate
in an isolated place in the country, are q
small alcohol lamp and cup, a hot-watel
rubber bag of best quality, which, even
if more costly to purchase, will be found
far cheaper in the end; fever thermom
eter, square of mosquito-netting fol
baby's crib, a roll of old linen, piece OF
flannel to tear up for hot applications
etc., flask of the best brandy, and last
but far from least, a large, square clothes
basket with handles on each end. In
this can be packed away much of baby's
paraphernalia for transportation, and it
may also be used very satisfactorily as a
crib for the baby while away from home.
A small hair-mattress or large hair pill.
low should fit snugly in the bottom OF
the basket, next an india-rubber square
cloth, then between this and the sheets a
piece of good, thick flannel. There
should be a few changes of these last
items. The sides Of the basket may be
padded with tufted, interlined cheese
cloth.
The young mother who is unfortunate
ly obliged to keep her baby in town dur
ing the summer months must be more
than particular in regard to its we'll
being from every point of view. The
slightest disregard of the strictest
hygienic rules in connection with its
may swiftly lead to sorrow
full consequences-especially in humid,
sultry weather. 1t must be given the
benefit of fresh, cool air, whenever
Daily outings by water or the
trolley car are advisable, with few
hours rest at some nearby seashore or
cool, shady resort.
The baby's head must always be kept
as cool as possible in summer. The
lightest of caps only should be worn.
A solution of bicarbonate of soda will
relieve prickly heat. Sponge the affect
I'd parts and dust we'll with good talcum
Idea.
IL your complexion is sallow YOU NAV