The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-07-31
MIDSUMMER CARE OF YOUR
BABY


BABY
From State Dept. of Health
A bulletin just issued ,by the
Child Hygiene OF the State Depart
ment of Health gives this advice to
mothers ON the midsummer care OF
the baby.
For many years, the latter part
of the summer, from the middle OF
July to the end of September, has
been the time of the year when
there has been the greatest amount
If sickness and death from intestinal
diseases among babies and young
children.
1.-THE experience of recent years
in many, parts of the country has
shown that illness from these causes
is not necessary and can be pre-
vented. Where babies are brought
I'D under medical direction, If
proper care is given to their food,
and to their daily routine, this
dreaded summer complaint is largely
done away with In many com
munitites the danger to the lives OF
babies is considerably less even in
not weather than at other times OF
the year.
1.-THE precautions to be observed
by mothers in the care OF theil
children in warm weather are sc
simple that they can be carried out
EASILY everywhere. They can be
summarized briefly as follows:
Intervals Between Feedings-
should never be more frequent thar
hree hours, and most babies woulc
10 better if fed at four hour inter
gals that is, five or at most, ST.
INES in twenty-four hours. This
gives an opportunity for the food &c
mass from the stomach into the in
ltestines, which takes three or -FOUR
hours. before additional food If
given. Cooled, boiled water can be
given freely in hot weather between
feelings.
2 "Mother's Milk-No food Is
comparable to mothers milk; 1t is
especially useful in hot weather.
Mothers milk is exactly suited 10
the needs of the baby; it is prac-
tically without germs and is usually
given in just the quantities that the
baby REQUIRES. A baby should not
be weaned during the summer II II
is possible to feed it on mothers
milk.
3 "Clean Cows Milk-The next
best substitute for mothers milk is
clean cows milk diluted with water
according to the doctors direction
The mixture should be boiled for
wo or three minutes and then cool
I'd before feeding the baby. 1t Ii
impossible to prevent germs from
entering cows milk, even il it Is
produced under good conditions
Boiling will practically destroy these
harmful germs and make the milk
safer for young children. When
cows milk is used, it is especially
advised that the feeding intervals
be four hours apart.
4 "Clothing-The baby and young
child should be dressed according TO-
the temperature and not according
to the season. During very warm
weather, when the thermometer
hovers around 80 degrees, little
baby requires nothing but its maxim.
A light blanket or dress should be
at hand to put on the baby it there
is a sudden fall in temperature.
"Sponging-Babies are made
more comfortable during hot weather
if they are stripped and sponged
with tepid water two or three times
a day. Very young babies, espec-
tally in warm weather, should be
brought under the doctors care
The mother should notify her doctor
of even slight changes in the baby's
condition.
Intestinal disease can usually be
cured if treated promptly, but II al
lowed to run on, it is always a ser
ious matter in hot weather.