The Little River news., 1916-03-11
A Message To
 F athers

iCWn improvement Club.
 Tradition has in the past left all the care Of the baby to the mothers. The conditions of our present day society required, that n addition to provid !rg food, shelter and other material things the father must share with the r.e,tEor the responsibility for t.Ie cath of his baby.
 lie must give the prospective moth ar ot his eilj.I is tcndcras, care and loTe Gurin2 the time when sine feels least like q normal woman The ex- ftlicIce e. mos, women that at no t,.u" in fife are they so sensitive and subject to melancholy as at that time. They are usually mccc nervous. They must forcgo for a few months most of their social pleasures and conse- qucntiy need more than at any other time, a gentle, thoughtful cheerful husband. He should know that the condition of the mind reacts upCEl the body and in order to bring into the world bright, happy, healthy babies, there must be strong happy mothers.
 X lot of cheerful news told In an in tercSting manner, a bouquet of flowers CT some unexpected fruit given With words of love and encouragement will brighten weary day and lengthe1; the pangs of motherhood
 After wives in their zeal to econ omize and help their husbands finan cially undertake work which over taxes their strength husbands saoule be thoughtful ard either provide sc'no one to do the heavy work or do it themselves willingly, even gladly io save the woman who is the mother of their children. There is no rea5ona oie sacrifice which they should net make for her comfort and happiness. Many men think they have performed their iuli duty toward their offspring when they provide money for their main
 
 shoC!d always see that the baby,s birth is registered, get a certificate aud file it away. In many states the law requires this that the child may attend public school, be entitled to citizenship, etc. though my under standing is that Arkansas has nc ,a.. on this subject.
 The baby's digestion depends al most entirely upon the quality of the milk it drinks If the mother is able tC. nurse their child it is usually better for it than any prepared food. The quality of her milk depends lar gely upon the physical and mental condition. If she be overworXed. tired nervous it's nourishing properties are not what they should be an peevish nervous, crying baby is the result.
 It is the fathers duty to help her in every way he can, he should relieve her of the baby's care of evenings when he comes from work in order that she may have little time to her self free from anxiety. While his day may have been full of work and care and amusing his own baby should be a pleasure; it is change for him and gives the mother rest from the monotony, giving her time for walk or nap half hour to read or write brings her back to the baby fresh and smiling and gives the father opportun- ity to get acquainted with and be- ccme more interested in his child.
 At night when the baby is sick and cross the mother worn out from loss of sleep and constant nursing he should learn the great lesson of pat ience which few men are ever endow- ed with by soothing the little one with as much aentleness and long suffering as is exercised by 9 devoted and pat tent mother. One of the very first things he should learn is that he must net administer opiates and soothing sylUps which quiet for time, but are detrimental in their after effects. If after every care has been taken and Ihe mother is unable to nourish her baby the father should know that good cows milk is considered the next best substitute and should help to see that i, is provided. He should know the importance of cleanliness, the effect O. fresh air and sunshine and certain ly he should know the terrible effect of flies and mosquitoes and screen his house if he CMns his home and if he is reTting see that the tardy owner does it for the comfort as well as the health of his entire family.
 When fathers have looked after their own household tc' the very best ability, they should then let their light shine out to those around them who are more ignorant and less interested by helping to improve conditions in their own town or city
 When all fathers become deeply in terested in their children from every point of view, physically. mentally,