The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-07-19
Care of the
Baby in Summer.

There is no doubt that the problems
which arise in taking care Of a baby
in summer are more difficult for the
city mother than for the one who
lives in village or in the country.
Overcrowded houses, lack Of fresh
air, Of sunshine, and of open spaces
for play and out Of door life make
very hard conditions under which to
try to rear healthy children.
During the summer months in most
Of the larger cities there Is an enor-
NOUS increase in the number Of sick
babies, many Of whom fail to survive
this period. These well-known facts
have led to the establishment all over
the country of what are known as
Infant Welfare or Milk Stations.
These stations are rooms in charge
Of trained nurses and physicians, to
which any mother who desires may
bring her baby for help and advice in
his. care.
The object Of these welfare stations
is to keep the babies well, and to pre-
vent illness by watching the babies
closely and by teaching the mothers
how to take. care of them. If baby
Is found to be sick the mother is re-
ferred to her own physician if she
has one. If not, she is usually sent
to dispensary. The principal fac
tor in keeping the baby well is to
have him properly fed. Accordingly
the physician who cares for the baby
should direct this very carefully. If
the mother has no physician, the sta
ton doctor will examine the baby and
order diet for him. The nurses will
be glad to assist the mother in fol-
lowing out his directions, and will
visit her in her home for this pur-
pose.
These stations are sometimes main
tanned by the city and sometimes By
private society. The mother car
find out the location of the station
nearest her home from the papers
or by inquiring of the health officer.
The baby is weighed at each visit
and examined to see If he needs an,
special care. If so, the doctor ex
plains this to the mother. The bah.
should be brought back to the station
at regular intervals In order that tn,
doctor and nurse can watch him. Il
this way much of the illness from
which babies suffer can be prevente,
and mothers and babies spared
great deal Of suffering.
The mother who is expecting tn
birth Of a baby should go to the sta
ton about once month during he
pregnancy for advice about herself
The doctor and nurse will tell he
what food it is best for her to cal
how to take care of the breasts an
nipples, and help her to prepare TO
the baby's coming in the best way.
If she is suffering from any all
ment, such as vomiting, varicos
veins, headache or swollen feet, sh
may learn what to do for thes
troubles, and, if she desires to go to
hospital for the birth the station doc
tor will probably be able to arrang
the matter for her.
After the baby is born and tn
mother is up again, she may, if sh
visit with the baby to such q statio
nurse, who will come to see her, no,
and then, until the mother is able t
take the baby to the station again.
Mothers who are i'll or worn GU
with the burdens of home, may find i
visit with the babyto such static
unexpected help in their problems
Some effort is made to teach mother
the rudiments of domestic science i
the home, when this is needed.
Mothers especially who go out t
work by the day, should try to sen
the baby to the station by a care
taker, for such babies need the we
fare stations help even more tina
others.
If some member of the family
Nick, other than the baby, and tn
baby is registered at the station, tt