The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-08-03

creeping Bags
WHENEVER the baby will not re-
main wrapped up in blankets all
night the sleeping bag is' advisable.
They are made from a-single blanket,
folded In the middle, crosswise, and
then sewed together at one end and
one side, and fastened In two places on
top with hooks and eyes. The baby
is then put inside the bag and 1t is
fastened over each shoulder. In the
summer the bag can be made of muslin
or outing flannel.
A second and simpler plan is to cut
a slit in the middle of an old blanket
wide enough to permit it to slip easily
over the baby's head The edges are
bound and the blanket is put over the
head, smoothed down and the lower
corners fastened with safety pins. By
this arrangement the baby can be
changed without taking him out Of the
blankets. A night cap may be needed in
cold weather.
StOchings.
THE baby in long clothes whose feet
keep warm does not need stock
ings, but in cold weather 1t Is usually
advisable to have stockings in addi-
ton to the skirts and blankets. Three
pairs are sufficient and they should con-
tain some wool and should have loop
Of tape at the side for attachment to
the diaper.
Diapers.
RIRDSEYE is the approved material
for the baby's napkins. Stockinet
is more absorbent. but also more ex-
pensive. The material should be cut
to suit the size of the baby. Twenty
two by forty-four inches is perhaps
the average size. Packages of nap
kins already. hemmed are easily pro-
durable. In putting on the napkin it
should never be tight enough to pinch
the baby's stomach or legs. A small
inside cloth about five inches square
is often placed next to the baby inside
of the napkin for protection. About
three dozen napkins are required.
The care Of the napkins is important.
Wet napkins should be placed at once
in covered pail and left to soak In
cold water until they can be washed.
All solid discharges should be removed
from the soiled napkin. These should
then be rinsed through several waters,
when they can be washed with the wet
napkins. All the napkins must be
washed in hot water. with. plenty of
a mild white soap. No washing powder
of any sort is advised. They should
be well boiled and rinsed through sew
>eral waters. VS.
Much of the irritation of the thighs
and buttOcks of young babies, which
Is the source of much suffering, IL
caused by insufficient rinsing of the
napkins. Whenever possible the nap
kihs should be dried In the sunshine
and open air. During the day the nap
kin should be changed as often as it
is wet or sOiled In the night 1t should
be changed whenever the baby is taken
up to be fed. Waterproof diapers are
sometimes convenience. They are
suitable, however, only for temporary
use, as they retain the heat and mois-
ture and often lead to much irritation.
Outdoor Clothing.
THE baby exercises little and when
taken out in cold weather should
be warmly wrapped. For the first three
months this can be done best by
shawl or blanket. When 1t begins to
sit up cloak or sweater Of warm
material is advisable. Mittens should
be provided for the hands, and a cap,
not thick enough to cause the head to
perspire.
Long clothes should never be con-
tinued after six months, and in summer
time they can be dispensed with much
earlier or omitted entirely.