The Little River news., 1917-01-27
A Message To
 Fathers

EpDilSllCI dt lcIuSSt Oi lilc AoA- dcwa Improvement Club
 Tradition has in the past left all the care of the baby to the mothers. Tine conditions of our present day society required, that i'll addition to provid- ir.g food, shelter and other material things the father must share with the raoener the responsibility for tie s.t2,th Of his baby.
 He must give the prospective moth CT ot his etlla his tenaerest care and love during the time when sine feels
 least like a normal woman The ex- lpefiercc Of most women that at nc tim in life gre they so sensitive and
 subject to melancholy as at that tta1c
 They are usually mere nervous. They
 must forego for few months most of their social pleasures and conse- qrently need more than at any other time, a gentle, thoughtful cheerful | husband He should know that the | condition of the mind reacts upcu the body and in order to bring into the world bright happy, healthy babies, there must be strong happy mothers. l A lot of cheerful news told In an in | teresting manner, Q bouquet of flowers
 CT some unexpected fruit given with
 words of love and encouragement will brighten a weary day and lengtheii l the bangs of motherhood.
 i After wives in their zeal to econ-
 omize and help their husbands finan- cially undertake work which over. taxes their strength; husbands should be thoughtful and either proviGe some lone to do the heavy work or do it
 themselves willingly, even gladly to &ave tic woman who is the mother of their children. There is no reasonable sacrifice which they should net make
 for her comfort and happiness. Many
 men think they have performed their full duty toward their offspring when they provide money for their main-
 tenarce. but such is not the case. They shonld always see that the baby's birth is registered, get a certificate and flc it away In many states the law requires this that the child may attend public school, be entitled to citizenship, etc. though my under
 standing is that Arkansas has nc iaw on this subject.
 The baby's digestion depends al most entirely upon the quality of the milk it drinks If the mother is able
 tc. nurse their child it is usually
 better for it than any prepared food. The quality of her milk depends lar gely upon the physical and mental
 condition. If she be overworned, tired
 nervous it's nourishing properties are
 not what they should be an peevish
 nervous, crying baby is the result.
 It is the fathers duty to help her
 in every way he can, he should relieve
 her of the baby's care of evenings
 when he comes from work in order
 that she may have little time to her self free from anxiety. While his day may have been full of work and care and amusing his own baby should be a pleasure; it is a change for him and gives the mother rest from the monotony, giving her time for walk or a nap half hour to read or write brings her back to the baby fresh and smiling and gives the father opportun- ity to get acquainted with and be- ccme more interested in his child
 At night when the baby is sick and cross the mother worn out from loss of sleep and constant nursing he should learn the great lesson of pat fence which few men are ever endow- ed with by soothing the little one with as much gentleness and long suffering as is exercised by a devoted and pat tent mother. One of the very first things he should learn is that he must rot administer opiates and soothing syrups which quiet for a time but are detrimental in their after effects. If after every care has been taken and the mother is unable to nourish her bahy the father should know that good cows milk is considered the next best substitute and should help tcs see that il is provided. He should lknow the importance of cleanliness the effect O. fresh air and sunshine and certain ly he should know the terrible effect of flies and mosquitoes and screen his house if he owns his home and if he is relting see that the tardy owner does it for the comfort as we'll as the health of his entire family.
 When fathers have looked after their own household to the very best ability, they should then let their light shine out to those around them who r., ,onro ioppropf onI Iocc ;ptorocfad