The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-10-23
CARE OF BABY Is
IMPORTANT DUTY
Health Department Gives
Mothers Hints on Care
of the Baby.
ASK VISIT TO CLINIC

Kenosha Welfare stations working
under the direction Of the city health
Department and the Kenosha Service
league, are making a special effort
during the coming week TO get more
mothers of the city interested in the
daily clinics that are being held IN the
school buildings each afternoon. There
is a regular schedule under which
child welfare nurses are making the
rounds of the stations each day OF
the week offering advice and taking
weight measurements of all babies
brought to the clinics. While . large
attendance greets these nurses each
day, there is still room for many
more, it was pointed out, and an APP
peal is being sent out for greater
interest in these meetings on the
part CT the mothers of the city.
AS a part of the work OF the clinic
this week special stress is being placed
on the routine care of baby In the
home. Special bulletins are being pre-
pared for the guidance of mothers.
The Baby's Surroundings.
If possible, have a separate room
for the baby or little ones to sleep
In at night and to play in by day.
Choose a sunny, corner room, with
plenty of light and air.
Babies, like plants, thrive in sun
shine.
The Baby's Bed.
If a child cannot have q room to
himself, he must at least have a
separate bed. A fiat clothes basket
makes good bed the first year, and
a folded army blanket or piece of
table felting a fine, washable mattress.
A metal crib large enough for the first
six years may be used equally well, If
the sides are protected by curtains or
pads.
What Are Heath Habits and When
Should They BE Taught?
A baby is born without habits, good
or bad. It rests with the mother to
teach him proper habits in regard to
eating, sleeping. bathing, and the TAX
ing of fresh air and exercise. Good
habits must be started during the
early weeks Of life in order to estab-
lish health and, incidentally, to in
sure obedience end self-cOntrol. A
badly trained child is usually the re-
suit Of lack Of backbone in the mother.
Fresh Air.
A child must have fresh air, light
and sunshine in oEder to grow. Keep
the nursery window open, regardless
of the wasting of fuel, and get the
baby out for an airing every day. Maps
ho f0kau nTnfmAkAA
even in winter weather. In summer,
q little one may practically live OUT
doors.
Sleep.
Encourage the baby to sleep. all he
can, but see that he does not turn
night into day. Train him early &c
take long, unbroken sleep, at least
six hours at night. A long nap usual
ly follows the bath and Woodworking
feeding; another nap, usually shorter
comes after the midday feeding. A
child should not be permitted to sleep
in the late afternoon, or the night
rest will be broken. All young chill
dren should have an early bed hour.
Tuck the baby away at or Z o'clock,
and do not allow him to be played with
or to stay up to amuse the family.
Make the baby comfortable; let the
room be quiet, cool and darkened, and
let him go to sleep by himself.
Food.
Start teaching the baby the right
food habits by putting before him the
proper food at the proper time and
.aA;fo. that hn tnknu ~
Breast milk is natures food, but
even this form of nourishment can be
spoiled II the baby is allowed to nurse
whenever he cries. Putting another
meal into the stomach before the pre-
vious one is digested will make even
q grown person sick. Feed the baby
by the clock, and wake him regularly
in the daytime to take nourishment.
Fruit Juice should be given to bottle
fed babies once q day after the third
month, and may be given to breast-fed
children by the second half of the
first year. At first, teaspoonful of
strained orange juice diluted with
water) may be given on an empty
stomach and this gradually increased
to the juice of half an orange. The
juice or other ripe fruits, such as
peaches, may be substituted for
oranges, or the juice of cooked fruit
used, If no fresh fruit Is available.
Boiled water should be offered to
every baby at least twice q day. Dur
ing hot weather, baby may be allow.
ed to take as much cool water as de-
sired--from / to ounces q day, ac-
cerding to the age Of the baby.
Bath.
A bath every day Is necessary, at
least until child is trained in per-
sonal habits. Individual towels and
wash cloths should be used. The
room In which the bath is given should
have a temperature Of from 10 to 76
degrees; the bath water, 100 degrees,
gradually decreasing to 90 degrees at 6
months. A cold splash over the chest
protects the child from taking cold.
The bath can be given at any hour
that suits the mother, but conven-
lent time is usually before. the mid
morning feeding.
How To Dress the Baby.
A simple, washable outfit should be
selected for the newborn child. Ex-
pit in very warm weather, an infant
should wear a light or medium weight
band, shirt and stockings Of part wool.
This underwear and the diaper are the
essential articles of clothing. A dress
or nightgown is usually added, and in
cold uvaather dannal altu should he