The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-02
YOUR CHILD
Summer" Days
Menace Baby
BY OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON

Hot weather is the great danger
time for babies.
The dreaded second summer is
the most trying time of all for both
baby and mother.
Some children go through this
time without any difficulty; others
are not so fortunate. The teeth
known as stomach teeth upset the
stomach processes and general health
of child often to an alarming de-
gree.
Mothers, tired and worried at this
time, are apt to be too susceptible to
suggestions from neighbors and
friends who have done this and did
that for their own children, and are
ready with remedies that may be
all right in their own way. but are
too likely to be all wrong. Chill
dren, like adults, are not alike, and
little stomachs have a way Of be-
ing entirely different.
Don't Experiment
There is one bit of advice that any
mother can safely take from any
body. Don't experiment"
1t is difficult to say, GO to a good
doctor" for many cannot afford a
doctor. But if there is any time
in the course Of human events that
a doctor is needed it is for sick
baby in his second summer, or sick
baby, indeed, at any time. In case a
doctor is out of the question most Of
the big cities have free clinics for
children.
But a few general health rules
may help the mother with a sick
baby; or the mother with well one,
for that matter.
If the baby is thriving on his
present food, don't change it. Per-
haps he is not gaining as fast as
you would like. but if he is we'll let
him alone. Do not add to his diet
nor change it until fall.
All bottles for all babies must be
cleaned out and thoroughly boiled.
Much summer sickness is the result
of dirty bottles. Each morning the
days supply of bottles should be
washed thoroughly in warm suds,
inside and out, with a long bottle
brush. These can be bought at the
5-and-10-cent store or a hardware
store. Then the bottles should be
thoroughly rinsed in clean water
and placed in a large kettle of
clear clean water and boiled for
twenty minutes after the water
starts to boil.
Keep Baby Cool and Clean
Keep a band of mixed wool and
cotton, or wool and silk, on the
baby's abdomen all summer, even
on hot days. Do not take it of at
night. 1t is changed daily at bath
time.
Keep him cool at all times with
little clothing on hot days.
Watch the nights. Keep him
cool but also keep him from sud-
den draughts and changes of tenn
perature. Summer nights may get
suddenly cold. Then he needs to
be covered warmly.
Never feed him It'd bits. Don't
give him bites" of this and that
and watch that the children don't
feed him.
Never give him sleeping medi-
cine to quiet him. And don't give
him "neighbor medicine"
Water, but No "Tid Bits
Be sure he has water to drink
in plenty. but not ice water.
Keep him clean. Change him
at once when necessary so that his
tender skin does not become sore
or scalded. This causes terrible
suffering. Battle him off at each
changing with soap and water,
and rinse with clean water.
Battle him thoroughly once a day
all over with pure soap and water
but be sure the soap is rinsed off.
On very hot days he may have an
additional sponge" bath in clear
water. Always dry thoroughly with
a soft towel. A little pure tacum
may be busted on but not too much
N14 IL oIocr 49,