Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-23
YOUR BABY
CARE AND TRAINING
A series of articles prepared
especially for The Star by the
United States Public Health
Service.
MOTHERHOOD.

Each year 100, 900 babies die in the
United States in the first month of life.
most of them because Of conditions af-
fecting the mother before baby was
born. By giving proper care and atten-
ton to mothers before the baby is born
thousands of baby lives can be saved.
But mothers should have better care
for another important reason. In this
country at least $4,000 mothers die in
childbirth each year-that is. one
mother in every $50 cases of childbirth.
Over half of them lose their lives from
preventable conditions. What can we
do to stop this awful sacrifice?
Safeguarding Health of Mothers.
Every expectant mother should early
place herself under the care of good
physician or a well conducted obstetrical
clinic. An examination of the blood by
means of the Wassermann test shows
that about one mother in every ten
should undergo thorough medical
treatment in order to insure a healthy
baby
Before the baby is born the mother
should safeguard her health in every
way. She should be as far as possible
relieved Of worry, have plenty Of fresh
air, good, wholesome food and suffi-
Gent recreation. rest and sleep.
During the last months of pregnancy
The expectant mother should see her
physician every two weeks. Persistent
or sudden and severe headaches, swell
ing OF the face or hands. or increasing
swelling OF the ankles must be reported
at once to the physician in charge
Some patent medicines have been
widely advertised to make childbirth
safe, easy and painless. They are ali
frauds. Instead of wasting money on
oh
doctors advice.
The Great Event.
At no time in her life does a wom
an require better care and attention
than during childbirth. A competent
doctor or. If such is not available. a
properly supervised and licensed
midwife should attend. The patients
room should be large. clean and light
ana the necessary maternity outfit
should be conveniently at hand.
Ine following list represents a USE
.ul outnt: one pound absorbent cot
ton, nVe yards sterile gauze, one en-
velope sterile umbilical tapes, one
oozen sterile sanitary napkins, one
tube vaseline, four ounces powdered
ooracic acid, one dozen bird's-eye
diapers. one flannel band, five inches
VIDE one yard long; one cake CASTLE
two dozen large safety pins. one new
doucne bag 1.-TWO Quarts) one eve
oropper. one douche pan and one and
half yards rubber nursery sheeting
me mother should rest in bed for
at least a week after baby is born
and for several weeks more should
not do really heavy work. Various
forms OF serious female troubles are
due to a failure to follow this adj
vice.
The mothers food should be pIenti-
ful, wholesome and nutritious for. of
course. baby must be nursed al the
breast. The mother should drink
plenty of milk. but much tea and
coffee are injurious.
Almost all mothers can breast-feed
their babies. If the flow of milk in
scanty the mother should@(a1 drinn
plenty OF liquids. especially milk: (b)
not do heavy work. (c) get sufficient
rest and sleep, (d) take an ontdonr
airing every pleasant day. (e) avoid
constipation, CD put baby to nurse
regularly.
In order to train the child and IN
keep herself well and strong, the
mother should systematic baby's
daily life. the nursing times hath
sleep and outdoor periods. If the ba h,,
is often fretful the mother shouId
seek the doctors advice. Under no
circumstances should she give sooth
ing sirups or other patent medicines
recommended by the neighbors.
Questions relating to baby care and
to problems OF maternal and child
health will be answered by experts
service. Address Baby Health Editor
United States Public Health Servica
Washington, D. c. Please mention mi.
newspaper.