The Washington times., 1907-03-08
BabY'S Toilette

Is there anything in the wide world
quite 50 sweet as a baby's hand? And
Yet there are really some mothers who
allow a speck Of dirt 10 creep under the
delicate. rosebud nails. The task Of
manicuring baby's fngernails-if so big
a word could be used for so small an
object-shOuld begin when she IS only a
few days old They are very tiny and
very soft; but they are there. growing
fast, and ready to be trained TO firm
ness and graceful shape for later
years.
About the only thing to do with such
small affairs for the first few months
is to trim them. The daily baths keep
them clean. But when baby displays
her first acquisition of dirt, the time has
come TO begin the regular manicuring.
From the first a tiny pair of sharp
scissors with curved blades should trim
the little nails 10 a good shape. while u
blunt instrument should keep the skin
free from the roots. Greatest care
should be used with the tender skin.
Not a day should pass without clean
ing the nails carefully and gently. and
once a week there should be a thorough
treatment. This always should be done
when the skin is moist from being in
warm water. The process is naturally
much more simple than mothers own
toilette; but these points are important:
trimming he nails and any ragged bit
OF skin around them, cleaning and push
ing down the skin at the roots of the
nails. Even 20 polish the nails a little
is pretty idea
II such care as this is spent on the
tender little hands, after-years will reap
rich results In the making of an i'm
pOrtant asset 10 a Womau's beauty.
Then, too, il is rare that such we'll
grOOmed fingers are ever troubled by
hang nails. nor do their owners often
have the obnoxious habit of biting the
nails.
Although nature is arbitrary in her
making of baby's hand. il is a good
idea 70 try TO improve the shape if there
are noticeable signs that the fingers
will become short and stubby Much
can he done by gently and persistcntly
pinChing and smoothing the fingers 10
tapering ends. The little lady can be
taught to do this herself pretty soon
If this changing the shape of the fingers
can be accomplished by a grown woman
how much more can be done 10 improve
the soft flesh Of a baby
Now the babys feet must not be for
gotten. Certainly for future comfort
child,s feet must be carefully treated
while she IS a baby. With judiciOus Sc
lection in shoes her feet will always be
rosy and straight and plump.
Along with babyS rosy nails comes
the care OF her teeth. II would be wise
~ - 1871 70 rAiAL'iib N'-A y a. - N'lN
only TO impress II indelibly on her own
mind. so that II is habit with her OF
course, Little Miss is not troubled with
teeth at all until she is quite few
months old, but her mouth must always
be kept sweet and clean. and when the
first teeth begin to show il is time TO
buy a soft little brush and begin. As
soon as the teeth are fairly through they
must be washed at least once every day
preferably twice day. then three times
day and so on. At first only a wash
is necesSary-One perhaps of bOraCiC
acid or n very much diluted antiseptic
Then when they are we'll formed begin
the use of powder
Care in this is even more important
than in the care of new nails for the
beauty and strength Of the teeth in later
years are absolutely dependent upon
their treatment in childhood