Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-25
YOUR BABY
CARE AND TRAINING
A series of articles prepared
especially for The Star By the
United States Public Health
Service.
WHAT TO OBSERVE IN A BABY

WHAT TO OBSERVE IN 4 many.
Babies cannot talk, but they have
sign language. BY crying and by
movements they can explain great
many things.
Wen baby-A normal, healthy child
gains regularly in weight. has
warm: moist skin, brea thes quietly
eats heartily, sleeps peacefully and
Portable, i'll or INDUCING In q a. of
temper.
Posture when sleeping-Quiet. limbs
relaxed. sleep peaceful. NJ tossing
about.
Facial expression--Ca,m and peace
ful. IL baby is suffering pain. the fea-
lures will contract from time 10 time
and the fists will be cienohed tightly.
Breathing-Regula easy and quiet
However, during the, frat weeks of
life breathing may be irregular In
perfectly normal babies. Thia should
excite no alarm unless associated
with other abnormal conditions. such
as hot skin and flushed face.
Baby should breathe through the
nose and keep the mouth eloped.
Mouth breathing or habitual holding
the mouth open usually indicates en-
larged tonsils or adenoids or some
other obstruction to the breathing
which needs the attention Of a physi-
clan.
Skin-Warm. slightly moist and a
healthy pink color. The skin should
be soft and smooth to the touch and
the underlying muscles firm. Flchby
muscles usually indicate something
wrong with the feeding,
Crying-Babies need a certain
amount of crying to develop their
lungs. When children cry for every
thing they want, 1t is the result of
tra nj no hp TO
fretful and cries great deal of the
time. it does not mean necessarily that
he is ILL., but there is something
wrong with him. Learn what he is
trying to tell you by crying.
Hunger cry-A low. whimpering cry
sometimes accompanied by sucking
the fingers or the lips. If the meal
is not forthcoming 1t may change to
a lusty scream. Babies are as likely
to cry from indigestion caused by
overlooking as from hunger.
Fretful crying-The baby is sleepy
warm or tired of being laid In one
position. A tepid sponge bath and
gentle rub or a change OF clothing
and taking him out will prove. very
restful and comforting. If the crying
continues. consult the doctor. The
child may be i'll.
Cry of collie or pain-A lusty cry
sometimes rising to shrek, with
tears in the eyes. In collie or abdomi
nal pain the knees are drawn up and
the fists are clenched. A tight fist is
usually an indication of pain. If the
crying increases with moving Of an
arm or leg or when placing the
child in a certain position, he may
have a broken bone or other damage
calling for the attention of a doctor.
Sick cry-The very sick baby does
not cry hard There is low moaning
or a wall, with sometimes a turning
of the head from side to side.
Sick baby-Learn to recognize any
change from the normal. Unusual
flushing or pallor of the face. sleep
lessness. lack of energy, loss of ap-
petite, profuse sweating. especially
of the head. peevishness. vomiting or
diarrhea. give warning that some
thing is wrong. Find out what and
why. >
to problems of maternal and child
health will be answered by experts
of the United States public health
service. Address Baby Health Editor,
United States Public Health Service,
Washington, D. c. Plese mention this
newspaper.