The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-03-09


diet of certain of the proprietary infan
foods. consisting largely of sugar or o
starch, is apt to produce excessive ia
and give a false impression of abound
| ing health, since bones and muscle
may thus be deprived Of their prope
nourishment Overfat babies are un
comfortable in the summer from prick
ly heat and other Ills.
healthy baby has a we'll rounded
| body. without wadS and cushions o
! fat or penduIous cheeks and pudgy
legs. He has springy muscles and i:
alert. active and full of life and mo
ton.
Most families in the country have I,
household scale of some sort which car
be used for weighing the baby. Ordi
nary grocery scales having a balance
are best as it IS hard to weigh accu
rately OH spring scales. bur if care
fully used the latter kind are far bet
ter than none.
1t sometimes happens that a nursing
baby does not thrive. and the mother
concludes she must wean him. In such
cases the quantity of breast milk is
probably at fault. and the baby needs
some supplementary feeding. To de
termine this the baby should be weigh
ed. Immediately before and after each
nursing. for twenty-four hours. The
baby must be dressed in exactly the
same clothes both times. If this Is
accurately done the mother will be
able to learn just what quantity OF
breast milk he is getting and TO what
extent it may need TO be supplemented
with cows milk
A city mother in reach of infant wei
fare stations may have at all times a
trustworthy record of her baby's weight
II she viii take him there to be weigh
ed at regular intervals
Health Conferences Planned.
Childrens health conferences are tC
be held during baby week in many
communities. This Modern health con
ference for we'll children marks the
passing of the old idea that mothers
instinct is an unerring guide TO the wis
est and best way to care for her child
1t is a recognition of the fact that
there is great body of scientific |
knowledge which can save from blum.
ders and from suffering.
There was a day not so long ago |
when we ridiculed as wild notion of |
the antipodes the idea that a physi- |
clans function was not primarily to
heal the sick. but to keep we'll people
well. Now periodic physical exami-
nation 10 discover hidden signs of pos
sible trouble is recognized by physi-
clans and laymen as the surest way of
health. and many busy men
and women submit to such examina
tons as matter of course.
The children's health conference ap
plies this principle to babies and chill
1ren. There are several types of con-
all having in common the fol-
owing features: Thorough physical ex
animation of the babies by competent
physicians according to some definitely
outlined plan. a record of the examina-
ion being given to the parents, and
PERSONAL interviews between physicians
md parents. in which the needs of the
)aby are pointed out and the general
lygiene best suited to the baby under
is dwelt upon.
Views of Leading Women.
Mrs. Percy v Penny backer. presi
lent of the General Federation of Wo
mems Clubs, said of baby week
I'VE have asked every individual ,
Tub and every Individual woman to ,
DIN in what l feel will be one .
f the greatest concrete accomplish
nents upon which we have ever united |
ur forces. that of setting aside seven
avs. beginning March 4. 1916. for the
special study and consideration of the
7elfare of the child"
Mrs Frederic Schoff. president of the
lational Congress of Mothers and Par
ut Teacher Associations. said of baby
Ieek:
"The Congress of Mothers rejoices
yer every new participant In this
lovement for the protection of babies
he General Federation of Women's
lubs has asked all its members to eel
orate week in March as baby week.
More and more is there rec
ynition that in the better care and
of children rests the future
rho notion -