The Washington times., 1916-05-09
HoWOne Can
U nd erStdnd
The Infant
Untutored and Unframed
Persons Should Be Able
to Approach and Make
Friends With Any Baby.
What To Do if Suddenly
Confronted With an In
fant for Whom to Care.
Poise the First Requisite.

= - AvING suggested in this column
IL yesterday that the Baby Week
III lectures are or interest ana
pertain to everyone, It Is only
fair that q few suggestions on how TO
understand an infant be onered. no
matter how rntutcred one Is, baby ~
likely to be encountered at any moment
Be prepared.
Most important Of all. don't be afraid
OF q baby. Having once overcome all
fear, approach the child. IL II Is lett
IN your arms, lay Il down as quickly as
possible. Be neither aslninely eager. nor
tcrrifyingiy gruff. Try to put yourself
on the baby's mental level. In order 70
Do this: -
l.. Remember that a baby Is very lit
tie different from YOU and that the
three most important things In life are
feed. sleep. and comfort,
3. Always bear in mind that the baby
10 affected Just as you are py the lack
Of these three things.
Z. Don't forget that time .s standard
ixed in the mind largely by size. For
instance, the bigger one is mentally
and physically the more ono can do In
n certain length Of time than Others.
Therefore. time Is shortened. A baby
cannot walk at all at sirst. 1t II almost
stationary.
Babies days are very long. Each
one at least a week according to YOUR
standard Fifteen minutes OF play Is
q long time for baby. or the same
length OF time spent In an uncou,fort-
able position,
L. Remember that the baby has just
~ much sense for its size as you have.
With these few hints we will endea-
yer to show how to act when brought
into q responsible relationship with a
strange baby unable to walk.
Approach the baby deferentially.
Don't glue your eye on IL. rush up and
dig Il in the ribs. Just picture yourself
doiut that to the next person to whom
ysy are introduced. Or as morning
erecting to your boss. Your baby feels
the same way about 1t.
Give him q chubby. poised, kindly
greeting, remaining at a discreet and
respeetfui dlstance-not too far not toe
near.
Come 10 think of It. treat him with
the respect YOU would afford n strange
buiidog. Not too fearful. not too friend
ly II you have eyeglasses or whiskers
be very circufnspect. Even some grown
people are shy OF whiskers. On the
other hand. there an stranee case.
where infants become ..tenseiy fond Ol
whiskers AT first sight
Never move jerkily and quickly. Ee'
member that a baby is like a new car
II sticks and perks, and doesn't Away
respond well A frm. wise hand. STEADY
and Of lightning dexterity ana smooth
ness. is needed to guide IT,
when sreeking to a baby lower
the voice. and say amiebly. How ar
YOU old top" or use any pleasan
form Of address. Continue to ap
gently on the shoulder.
II 1t Is noiseiess. shift 1t littl'
On the pillow. or whatever II rest
upor. This is making the baby com
Portable and bears the same relation
as does the remainder of the greet
Ing. ,'Have a cigar" or Let's get
soda" or Wont you take of you
hat?" 1t makes the baby comfortable.
Then II the baby smiles. snil
back; begin a conversation and te
times out OF one the baoy will an
eHfid occasionally. Be just as care
fJI about breathing in its face q
YOU you'd II 1t were Mrs. Jones,
This is as far as we can go toda,
Tprorrcw we will take the mex
stsps: How to act whom The bah
likes you. and how TO act when
THE CONDUCTOR.