The Washington herald., 1911-09-18

From Womans World.
From birth the body of a child should
be exercised, first only by gentle rub
bing at the time Of the daily bath, or
upon changing the clothing. That the
child enjoys this exercise cannot be de-
MED. Every mother knows how the
baby loves to have its back rubbed"
Frequently a baby cries simply because
it is tired of lying in one position. Many
fretful baby could be quieted by re-
moving its clothes and gently massaginG
the entire body. Any person who has
had a severe illness and been compelled
70 lie in bed for a considerable length
of time knows the rest and comfort that
follows a gentle massage or an alcohol
rub. The results are due to the exercise
Of he tired muscles.
After a baby is a few weeks old, it
should be allowed to lie on its back when
awake, unhampered by long clothes. and
kick and COO to its hearts content.
Every time II throws its arms or legs
about it exercises the muscles and pro-
notes their development. Creeping is
one of the most beneficial of exercises,
as il develops not only the muscles of the
arms and legs, but those of the abdo-
men and back as we'll For this rea-
ing and child should be encouraged to
creep some. even though II has begun to
walk
So many fond mothers are so anxious
that their babies should begin to walk
early that they try to force this event,
and, as a result. many babies have bow
legs and crooked spines. A baby never
should be encouraged to walk until he
does It OF his own free will. He will
1Iley gNr 1E
enough to support his body in an up
right position II he seems to be back
ward, il no doubt Is due to the fact that
his muscles are undeveloped. and, in
stead of providing various mechanical
aids, the mother should see that he is
receiving the proper nourishment and
then commence a series Of passive exer-
cises-massages and manipulations.
should Be Allowed to Kick and Roll
Even before the baby begins to creep
he should be placed on the floor on
thick pad or comforter and allowed to
kick and roll. He derives as much
pleasure from this as an older child
does from a ride on a pony or a merry
Ro-round, and the exercise is necessary
TO his development. II will not be long
before he, learns to turn over by reach
ing for some plaything that is just be-
yong his reach. The sensation of NOV
ing his body without the assistance OF
another person sometimes surprises
him at first, but evidently he likes the
sensation for he very soon tries II over
again.
One OF the greatest conveniences in
taking care OF a baby is a baby pen or
fence. This can be purchased or made
at home. The expense Is so very small
when compared with the comfort to both
the mother and child that It would seem
almost impossible for any mother to get
along without one.
A pen four feet wide. FIVE feet long.
and two feet high Is amply large. 1t can
be made as simply as the pens seen in
any farm yard containing the small
calves. lambs, or pigs. II should, how
ever, be made of planed boards so that
there will be no danger of the baby $
hands being injured by splinters. IL Is
better. too. II the sides are solid, other
wise when the baby begins to walk he
Will climb. up on the sides and may have
severe fall. Then. too, II the walls
reach the noor the danger from drafts -