The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-01-28
SUGGEST|ONSl ON CARE
OF BABY DURING
THE WINTER :

| 80 much emphasis is constantly
placed upon the necessity for special
care of the baby in summer, when
the heat is excessive and diarrheal
diseases at their worst. that the fact
that winter, too, has its special dam
gers for the baby is sometimes over
looked.
But the combination of heat and
dirrhea is hardly more serious for
the baby in the months of July and
August. than are cold and respira-
| tory diseases in winter.
1t is plain then, that the winter
care. of the baby deserves special at,
tention from everyone intereSted in
his health and well-being.
1t has been demonstrated quite
Gonclusively that large part of the
deaths from summer dirrhea are
needless, because this disease NAV
be cured in many cases, and prevent
ed entirely in many more bv the
proper care and feeding of the baby
during the heated months. The same
doctrine is now being applied to the
group of what are commonly called
winter diseases" of babies and child
rem. namely, bronchitis. pneum onia
.,ccolds.' and the like. which are. like
diarrhea, to large extent, prevent
able by the intelligent care of the
baby, and by surrounding him with
proper living conditions.
These proper living conditions con.
sist both in winter and summer of
suitable food, in the right amounts.
at the right times, cleanliness. suf
hcient sleep, plenty of fresh, clean
air to breathe, and protection from
exposure to infectious diseases. II is
chiefly the lack of these two latter
requirements that causes the winter
Illnesses among the babies.
IT is not the cold of winter which
makes people sick, ordinarily, but
rather the stale over-heated air in
side our houses and public buildings
which we breathe and re-breathe
thus passing disease germs about
from one to another Babies are
particularly liable to be infected in
TINS way, because they spend a large
part OF their time indoors, and be-
cause mothers are apt to feel that to
keep the baby warm the rooms must
be kept shut tight.
A mother should use everv means
IN her power to protect her baby
from taking cold" as it is ommoniy
described. Colds" are due to a germ
and are. very contagious, being easily
passed from one person to another in
coughing or sneezing. A nursing
mother with cold should tie thin
cloth or veil over her mouth and nose
while nursing the baby, and should be
very careful never to cough or sneeze
in his face: nor kiss him on the
mouth: She should be particularly
careful not to use her own handker-
chief for. the baby, nor sleep with
MIN. while the disease lasts. Many
babes contract these colds by being
taken up and kissed by visitors. and
It is wise rule to keep the baby away
from the presence of people who are
coughing and sneezing. The reason
.oI TINS great care as regards a baby
is that contagious cold is very often
the forerunner of bronchitis and pneu-
lnonla' winch diseases cause the death
d many thousands of young babies
every year, and which are infinitely
easier to prevent than to cure.
FRESH air is the most effective wea-
pom with which to fight the diseases
'ot necessarily mean cold air CO.
old air may be stale, and warm air
nay be pure. The ventilation Of
most American houses is faulty, since
m order to keep them warm enough
to suit us we shut them SO tightly
to make the air unfit to breathe
.fter few hours. To counteract
this tendency mothers should see to
It that all the occupied rooms of the
mouse are thoroughly aired at least
twice every day in the coolest wealth |
er' while in moderate weather there
snould be as nearly a constant sun |
Diy OF fresh air throughout the house. |
night and day, as can be managed.
When the temperature outside is |
very low, the baby should be taken
INTO warm room while his nursery
is beng, aired: and at night, his bed
should be shielded from direct |
draft. 1T there is a communicating
room. the window in that room NAV
be opened. if there is danger of chill
ing the air of his sleeping room,
II the cold is excessive, or if there
IS raw, damp wind blowing or rain
or snow is falling, the baby sbouId
De given his daily airing in a room
with the windows open. or m y
protected porch, dressing him warmly
n out-of-door clothing He should
ne taken out during the middle Of The
lay for little while, never lono
enough to run the risk of chilling
him. This applies especially TO
Young and delicate babies. As
,hild gets old enough to walk about
md thus exercise himself. he can he
allowed to play for some time in an
'pen room or where he is sheltered
rom the wind. gu
But an airing every day does not
AXE the place of fresh air in the
'ouse. day and night. and to secure
ufheient ventilation for health the
mother must be on the watch to see
nat the rooms are opened and the
irr changed at frequent intervals
Courtesy of Children's Bureau) u, S
Department of Labor.