Middletown transcript., 1921-06-25
REP0RTBABY'SBRTH
Child's Welfare Commission to Give
Valuable Assistance
THROUGHOUT ENTIRE STATE

to reach every newly born baby in tn,
State. That this is necessary if it is tt
save all possible lives is evident from
the fact that large percentage OF
baby deaths could be prevented by
proper early care. Consequently the
Commission has established very
careful system to get in touch prompt
iy with newborns. By the cordial CO.
operation of the State and Wilmington
Boards of Health, plan has been ar
ranged whereby those Boards promptly
furnish the Child Welfare Commission
with notice OF all births reported to
them. AS the law requires birth at
tendants 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
Welfare Commission hears of all babies
whose births are SO reported. Unfor-
tunately, no veyer, quite percentage
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 die in the first few days or
months of life who could be saved bv
being in touch with proper care. With
the system that the Child Welfare
Commission has of sending nurse
promptly to the home of each newborn
reported to it, the hazard of babyhood
is being reduced. 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 home where her assistance and
advice are needed she is ready with
both. to work under the attending ply
slclan and to start the mother in a
knowledge Of mothercraft. In addition
to the post card report of birth the law
requires that certificate of birth shall
be made out by the physician, midwife,
or other person having knowledge of
the birth and sent to the local regis
trar within ten days of the baby's
birth. The Commission observes 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. Rural nurses of the
commission also hear of some births
that are not reported to the State
Board of Health. These facts show
that the situation in regard to birth
registration is not satisfactory. Della
ware is not in the "birth registration
area' of the United States, which
means that her birth reporting isnot
yet considered accurate enough to per-
nit the Government to feel that Della
ware registers even go per cent. ef her
olrths. Aside from the question of
State pride in the 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
If the Child Welfare Commission fails
to reach some babies that need it badly.
1t also means that all questions depend
ng for settlement upon proof OF age
are made difficult in cases of persons of
unregistered birth. since proof of age
IS necessary ito determine the legal
right of minors to employment certif-
Gates, to marry, to inherit, to serve in
the Army and Navy, for passports. etc.
The Child Welfare Commission urges
all parents to make sure that their
babies births are reported both by post
card and by birth certificates, since the
first methed means an early call from a
Child Welfare nurse and the birth GER
titicate is the protection of an individ-
lal in matters where exact knowledge
Of age is necessary. Special care should
be taken that post cards and certificates
are filled in very clearly. Many are
turned in that are almost or entirely il
egible.