The Monett times., 1922-07-28
BABY's OUTFIT
Dr. F. F. Woodruff, Denver, Colo.
The Layette.

It
%een adopted into the English. Liter
ally it means chest or box; and
Gguratively, the outfit of clothes and
Nxkicles which should be provided in
anticipation of the baby's coming. /
will endeavor in this article to give a
practical list and description of the
articles which should be provided for
kaby's chest.
The making of baby's first clothes
is duty which the expectant mother
should enter upon with great deal
VI pleasure. Nor is it an arduous
task, if the outfit is limited to the
haby's actual needs. The elaborate
eEnbroideries and laces which often
deck out baby garments may feed the
mothers pride, but they serve no use
faa purpose for baby's welfare. We
AAve seen many an elaborate layette
comprising laboriously ornamented
Rarments which the baby outgrew be
fore he ever wore them. Remember
that for the first three months the
normal baby viii spend most of his
time sleeping and growing, and his
clothing requirements will be very
simple. For this reason the garments
intended for later use should be made
plenty large. For example, make the
first shirts not of the smallest, but of
khe second or third size.
A complete outfit already made up
can be purchased at department
store for very reasonable sum. With
possibly a few alterations, these are
very satisfactory.
Avoid Too Heavy Clothing.
A common mistake in the American
home is to dress the baby too warmly
and to cover it too heavily. This will
cause it to perspire and make it sus-
ceptible to colds. All-wool garments
should not be worn next to the skin.
Cotton and wool mixed, or silk and
wool mixed, are much to be preferred.
For the summer months linen is still
hetter. Since the body warmth is
more readily retained when the cloth
ing fits loosely, it is better TO avoid
tight bands and close fitting gar
ments.
The List.
Here is a fairly complete list of The
articles that should be included in the
layette:
Abdominal Bands. to in num-
Der.
The first abdominal band should be
made Of flannel, or Of silk and wool,
or of cotton and wool, or of linen. It,
should be unhemmed and should be 6
inches wide; for summer it should be
sixteen inches long, and fer winter
twenty-five ircHes long. It should not
be put on too tjehtly, else It will inter
fere with respiration AL digestion,
and may cause constipation. After
the eighth week these bands maye be
discarded for the knitted ribbed bands
Knitted Bands. 8 in number.
Usually known as "teething bands.")
For summer these should be of cot
ton or linen; for winter of silk and
wool; and they should have shoulder
straps. During the summer months
this band may furnish warmth enough
without a shirt.
Shirts. 3 or in number. Size 2.
These should be made of silk and
wool, or of cotton and wool, and
should have long sleeves. This gar
snent is most practical in cold weather
or when the baby is exposed toI
temperature changes. --~
Diapers. dozen,
One dozen of medium weight Can
ton flannel, twenty-eight inches
Square. Two or three dozen of the
best grade Birds Eye cotton, twenty
1nches by forty inches. A pair of rub
Der panties is useful, to be worn on
special occasions only and not for
long periods Of time,
F4dNHSi ohlFtSs . Ill HuI1DSIs
The Gertrude design is recommend
ed, twenty-four inches long.
Cotton Skirts. in number.
Gertrude design, twenty-four inches
long.
Slips. in number.
Should be made Of lawn or nainsook
twenty-five inches long, kimono-
sleeve style.
Nightgowns. 4 in number.
To be made of outing-flannel, open
in front, twenty-eight inches long.
Should be roomy and long enough to
permit drawstring at the bottom.
A drawstring at the neck and sleeves
viii permit regulation to size as the
baby grows larger.
Shoes.
The new baby will not need shoes
for the first few months, unless there
is a tendency to cold feet. If there