Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-09
THE CARE Of THE LITTLE
BABY DURING THE SUMMER

ereas Bureau. {. S. Department Of
Labcr)
A baby must be kept as cool as pos
sihie In summer, because oveEheating Is
. direct cause Of summer diarrhea-
Even hreast-fed bahias ind 1t hard TO
resist the weakening effects Of excessive
heat Records show that thousands Of
babies, most Of whom are bottle-fed. die
every year in July and August, because
Of the direct or indirect effects Of the
heat. Next in importance to right food
, in summer are measures for keeping the
baby cool and comfortable: frequent
baths. Light clothing, and the selection Of
the coolies, available place for him to
play and sleep
A baby should have a full tub bath
every morning. If he is restless and the
weather is very hot, he may have in adj
dirion cne or two sponge baths a day. a
cool bath at bedtime sometimes makes
the baby sleep more comfortably. Fer a
young baby the water should be tepid.
that is. il should feel neither hot nor
cold TO the mothers elbow. For an
cider baby it may be slightly cooler, but
should not be cold enough TO chill or
fnghten him
If the water is very hard q tablespoon
FIJI Of borax dissolved in a little water
may be added 10 three quarts of water
TO soften IL Very little soap should be
used and that a very bland, simple soap,
ike CASTLE Never rub the soap directly
on the baby's skin. and be sure that IL
is thoroughly rnsed OF, as very trou-
blesoE1e skin disease may result if a
harsh soap is used or il soap is allowed
70 dry On the skin
Use q soft wash cloth made from a
piece Of old table linen towel. knitted
underwear. or any other very soft ma
terial. and have two pieces One for the
face and head and one for the body.
The towel should be soft and clean also.
Even in summer the baby should be pro-
tee1ed from a direct draf. when being
batLed lest he be TOO suddenly chilled
a young baby should De carefully held
while in the tub The mother puts her
left hand under the baby's left arm and
supports the neck and head with her
forearm. But an older baby can sit
alone and in summer may be allowed TO
splash about in the cool water for a
few minutes
When the bath is finished the baby
should be patted dry. and the Hlotner
should take great care TO see that the
folds and creases OF the skin are dry.
Use little pure talcum powder or sifled
corn starch under the arms and in the
groin TO prevent chatting. II any redness.
chahng, or eruption like prickly heat,
develops on the skin, 10 soap al all
should be used in the bath. Sometimes a
starch, or bran. or soda bath will relieve
such conditions.
BRAN BATH-Make little Tag Of
eheeesecloth apd put a cupfui Of ordi-
nary bran in il and sew or tie the top.
Let this bag soak in the bath, squeez-
ing j, until the water is milky.
STARCH BATH-Use q cupful of ordi-
nary cooked starch TO q gallon of water.
Of the laundry starch has had anything
added TO il. such az salt, lard. OIL. bluing,
it must not be used for this purpose-)
SODA BATH-Dissoive a tablespoonful
of ordinary baking soda in a little water
and add it 10 four quarts of water.
CLOTHING-Do not DE afraid 10 take
of the babys clothes in summer. All he
needs in hot weather are the diaper and
one other garment. For a young baby
this may be sleeveless band which
leaves the arms and chest bare, and for
an older baby, only loose thin cotton
slip or apron or wrapper. made in one
piece with short kimona sleeves. Toward
nightfail when the day cools, or if the
temperature drops when storm arises,
the baby should, of course, be dressed in
such way as TO protect him from chill.
Cotton garments are best for the baby
in summer All-wool bands. shirts, and
stockings should be worn at any time OF
1 the year, and in het summer weather
only the thinHssi, all-cottcn clothing
/ should touch the baby's skin. unless he is
sick. when a very light part-wool band
may be needed. In general, neithe.
wool nor starch should be allowed In the
baby's clothing in summer. Wool is too
hot and Irritating and starehed gar
. ments scratch the baby's flesh.
The baby should be kept day and night
in the coolest place that can be found.
/ The kitchen is usually the hottest room
| in the house especially if coal or wood
is burned for fuel. While the mother is
busy with her work, the baby should be
kept in another room, or better, out OF
doors, if he can be protected from flies
and mosquitoes.
play pen such as is described in In
FAINT Care" a booklet published by the
Childrens Bureau and sent free on re-
quest, makes it possible to leave the
baby safely by himself on the porch or
in the yard. after he Is old enough to
/ creep.
A screened porch on the shady side of
the house is boon to every mother, at
fcrding cool. secure place for the baby
to play and also TO sleep. Let him have
| his daytime maps on the porch and sleep
| there at night during the heat.
, Do not be afraid of fresh air for the
baby. He can not have too much Of it,
Night air is sometimes even better than
day air. because it has been cooled and
| eleansed of dust by the dew.
The essentials in the summer care of
babies are:
1. Proper food, given only at regular
intervals.
2 A clean body.
3. Fresh air. day and night.
4. Very little clothing.
5. Cool places to play and sleep in.
Do not give the baby medicine Of any