The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-08-20
ny CHARLOTTE A. AIKENS

nervous wakefu child is
the material out of which ner-
vous, wakeful adult is made. 1t
Is undoubtedly a fact that the
foundations for many cases that
deyelop into chronic nervous de-
bility, are laid in infancy or early
childhood. Hereditary, of course,
plays some part. Many children are
born with weakened nerves. but II is
also true, that nervous children are
the product, largely, of injudicious
management. A baby, at birth, is
pIastic material. II can be a.ned
to habits of sleeping and feeding at
proper times, or at improper times.
Wakefulness at night is quite Of
ten occasloned by physical discom-
fort. but conditions of physical dis
comfort are largely preventable. In
Il gestion as result of overfeeding,
colic which may arise from improper
food, wrinkled, wet or tighC clothing,
cold feet, a room that is too warm or
badly ventilat ed-all these may help
TO produce a restless baby. In sum-
ner. especially, baby who sleeps
with it's parents is liable to be too
wsrm. cool. clean crib of its own,
will mean more comfortable nights
for all concerned.
With older children the cause of
wakefulness may sometimes be found
in the excitement of an evening frolic
with parents. or too active, exciting
plays with children late in the after
noon or evening. There are certain
ferns OF plays common with children.
wsich produce in a child of n ner-
yous temperament. the same train OF
symptoms that are liable to follow
late hours or dissipation where adults
are concerned.
After an afternoon of hard playing,
which is as eXhausting in child as
hard mental or physical exercise in
a grown person, child, under the
resulting nervous excitement, is very
apt to indulge in too hearty even
ing meal. The process of digestion IS
unfinished at bedtime and that a one
may give rise to insomnia.
ished child is almost certain to be
a peevish, wakeful child and little
care in dieting, choosing easily di-
gested. nourishing foods may suffice
TO effect complete cure.
The custom of telling stories to
children In the evening or after they
are In bed Is another thing that tends
TO waketuiness. Instead of quict!ns
the little listeners, the evening story
often stimulates their mind to fur
ther activity. If the evening Is the
time chosen for stories, the story
should be of the sleepy, uninteresting
Growsy type, with nothing in partic-
uar which is likely to stay long in
the child S mind.
Keeping a light burning IN 4 room
invariably tends to wakefulnesS.
Some hours of complete darkness IS
as necessary for the growing CHA as
Tor the growing plant.
thorough heating of the feet be-
fore going to bed is desirable, and i
warm brick or hot water bottle we
wrapped to the feet often helps the
child as well as the adult to drop OF
TO sleep quickly A drink OF hot
milk slipped slowly. with a cracker, is
anJther simple remedy that has prov
en- very erectual.
The restless baby may develop into
very well behaved child II his bath
hour is changed from morning TO
evening and he gets his clothing on
straight, smooth and comfortable, be-
lore putting him to bed. With a very
nervous, wakeful older child, gentle
sponging down the spinal column
with water as hot as can be borne is
procedure that assists in promoting
healthy sleep.