Milford chronicle., 1921-07-01
BE SURE BABY'S BIRTH is
REPORTED

The CHILD WELFARE CONIMIS-
I SION aims to reach every newly born
baby in the State. That this is nee
essary if it is to save all possible lives
is evident from the fact that a large
/ percentage of baby deaths could be
prevented by proper early care. Con-
sequently the Commission has estab
lished a very careful system to get in
touch promptly with newborns. By
the cordial cooperation of the State
and Wilmington Boards of Health,
plan has been arranged whereby those
Boards promptly furnish the CHILD
WELFARE COMMISSION with notice
-Of all births reported to them. AS
the law requires birth attendants to
send post card notice of every birth
to the State Board of Health within
twenty-four hours of the birth it is
not long before the CHILD VEL
FARE COMMISSION hears of all ba-
bies whose births are so reported. I'm
fortunately, however, quite a percent
age of birth attendants either do not
report births by post card or do not
do so promptly. This actually means
loss of life in some cases as there are
too many babies who died in the first
few days or months of life who could
be saved by being in touch with prop
er care. With the system that the
CHILD WELFARE COMMISSION has
of sending a nurse promptly to the
home of each newborn reported to it,
the hazard of babyhood is being re-
duced. If the nurse finds her help is
not needed she only pays respects
to the mother and baby on behalf Of
the State. However, if she finds a
home where her assistance and ad- /
vice are needed she is ready with
both, to work under the attending
physician and to start the mother in .
a knowledge of mothercraft. In adj
dition to the post card report of birth
the law requires that certificate OF
birth shall be made out by the physi-
clan, midwife or other person having
of the birth and sent to the
local registrar within ten days of the
baby's birth. The Commission OBJ
serves that some Wilmington births
are reported only by post card and
some only by birth certificate and
from it's nurses it sometimes learns of
births that are not on either list. Ru-
raj nurses of the Commission also
hear of some births that are not re-
ported to the State Board of Health.
These facts show that the situation in
regard to birth registration is not
Delaware is not in the
birth registration area" of the Unit
I'd States, which means that her birth
is not yet considered accu-
rate enough to permit the Govern
nent to feel that Delaware registers
even 80 per cent of hr births. Aside
rom the kuestion of State pride in
he matter, the failure to be in the
birth registration area has serious
PRACTICAL disadvantages for Delaware
children. AS pointed out above, it
means that the health service of the
JHILD WELFARE COMMISSION fails
O reach some babies that need it
,adly. It also means that all ques-
ions depending for settlement upon
roof of age are made difficult in
ases of persons of unregistered birth,
ince proof of age is necessary to de-
ermine the legal right of minors to
Employment certificates, to marry, to
Inherit, to serve in the Army and
Javy, for passports, etc.
The CHILD WELFARE CONINIS-
ION urges all parents to make sure
hat their babies births are reported
9th by post card and by birth certif-
Gates, since the first method means
n early call from a Child Welfare
-urse and the birth certificate is the
of an individual in matters
here exact knowledge of age is nee
ssary. Special care should be taken
nat post cards and certificates are
lied in very clearly. Many are turn
d in that are almost or entirely il
9gible.