El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-02-12
Care of the Baby
BEFORE THE BABY COMES.
Prepared by the Children's
Bureau, L. S. Department
of Labor.

In this series Of articles we have been
dealing with the early life Of baby
after birth: We have not considered
the equally important care Of the baby
in the months of his life before birth
The necessity for this care is apparent
from the fact that statistics show that
many thousands of babies die every
year in the early days Of life either be-
cause they were born prema turely, or
because they were born too weak to
survive. A very large number Of them
lose their lives because the mothers did
not have proper care before they were
born. or at the time of child birth Ev-
cry woman expecting baby should
have such care as viii result in the
birth of a healthy and happy baby.
A prospective mother needs a light,
nutritious diet of digestible foods, such
as she likes and appetite demands.
Fried and greasy foods, heavy pudd1ngs.
and all heavy or underdone pastries, or
an excess of any one article should be
eliminated from her diet as well as
anything which she does not readily
digest.
Exercise and Diet.
She should have full movement Of
the bowels every day. and for this pur-
pose should eat plenty of laxative foods,
rather than resort to medicines. She
sleep at night and another hour during
the day with all the bedroom windows
open. If she has no out of door sleeping
room She should have systematic ex-
ercise in the open air every day, spend
ing the time pleasantly in walking or In
taking some form of light exercise, ex-
cept at the normal time of the mentrial
period. when it is better to rest She
should be careful not to continue her
exercise beyond the point when she be-
comes tired.
She should have a daily tub or sponge
bath. having the water neither hot nor
very cold. and should rub the skin Wig
orously afterward
During the last eight weeks of preg-
nancy she needs special care The nip
pies should have attention each day.
according to directions given in pub
LEGATION of the Children's Bureau called
Prenatal Care" which is sent free upon
request to the Chief of the Children's
Bureau. Z. S. department of labor,
Washington. D. c.
Mother should Rest.
Throughout this stage the mother
should as far as possible be spared all
forms of heavy and taxing labor In or
der that her strength may be built up
in anticipation Of the coming demand
upon it. The bsbys proper development
also depends largely upon the mothers
condition at this time since the baby
weeks Of pregnancy. Therefore. If he
is to he born strong and healthy. 1t IS
most important that the mother have
plenty Of good food, and be spared I'M
due worlVand worry through this cru
ciaI period. To help the mother, to az
ford her opportunity for rest and to re-
lieve her mind of any burden. may en-
tail both expense and trouble upon the
family, but il will be repaid thousand
fold in the health Of the mother and
baby which will result from the effort.
not only for the time being, but forever
afterward.
The mother OF the expected baby
should be under the care OF a good doc
tor as long before the birth as pos
sibIe. in order that he may watch for
and correct any untoward symptoms
that may arise
It is exceedingly important that the
ailments OF the mother be dealt with
in the beginning before they develop
into more serious matters At the first
appearance Of swollen hands and feet.
of persistent headache, Of pain in any
mart, Of hemorrhage. or Of spots before
the eyes. A good doctor should be called.