The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-02-26
CARE OF THE BABY.
Teething.
Article Number Five.

The baby usually cuts his first tooth
when he is to 8 months old, and by
the end of the first year has, ordinarily,
teeth. He should have II teeth at Is
months of age; 16 when he is two years
old, and before the end the third year
the entire set of 20 "milk" teeth.
The process of teething in healthy
baby cannot properly be held respon-
sible for the illness commonly at
tributed to it. The first half-dozen
teeth rarely give the baby any pain,
but as the double teeth appear there is
occasionally at the same time a little
disturbance, such as loss of appetite,
and possibly evidences of slight indiges-
tion, which may last for a few days.
But if the disturbance is more serious
than this, some other reason for it
should be sought.
Teething takes place through the
weaving period and during the second
year, when mistakes in feeding are so
often made which upset the baby's
digestion, even if they do not make him
seriously i'll. On this account it is often
unjustly blamed for making the baby
sick, when the real reason lies in the
fact that he was overfed or improperly
fed, or perhaps that the weather was
very hot.
1t must be remembered that exces-
sive heat aggravates any i'll the baby
may have, and is quite sufficient in it.
self to make the baby sick. 1t is neces-
sary in summer, therefore, both on ae-
count of the heat and because of the
disturbances connected with weaving
and teething, to take great care of the
baby in all respects, and especially to
feed him with great caution. Direc-
tions for feeding the baby are given in
pamphlet called "Infant Care"
which will be sent free to anyone who
asks for it, applying to the Chief of the
Children IS Bureau, U. S. Department of
Labor, Washington, D. G.
The baby may not gain in weight
during the cutting of his various double
teeth, but it is not serious matter to
have the weight remain stationary for
a short time. The baby will quickly
regain the lost ground when he is well
again, and eating his full rations.
The mother should never allow any
one to persuade her to give the baby
patent medicines, such as soothing
syrups to relieve the pain of teething.
If they do relieve it they probably con-
tain opium in some form, which is much
worse for the baby than the suffering.
1t is safe rule never to give medicine
of any sort to baby, save that which
is ordered by a doctor.
Care of the First Teeth.
From the time when the double teeth
make their appearance throughout life
the teeth should have daily care. For
the baby a very soft brush is necessary
and the utmost care should be taken
not to injure in any way the delicate
tissues of the mouth when brushing the
tiny teeth. After the baby has several
teeth, the mother should see to it that
no particles of solid food are left be-
tween them after the baby has eaten.
If the first set of teeth is well taken
care of, the second set will be healthier,
and in addition the child will have been
taught a good habit that will last all
his life.
There is considerable variation in the
time that the teeth first appear, but If
the baby has no teeth by the time he
is one year old, he should have medical
attention to see if any disease is caus-
ing this unusual delay in the develop
ment of the teeth, or whether it is due
to improper diet.