Evening star., 1947-05-05
COMMENT ON BABY CARE.

CJMMENi CN DAD Ot11brs
From Mrs. @. r. r., Chepy Chase
Have noticed quite few articles
recently on combining houseWork
and motherhood's multiple duties.
As the mother Of a six month
bouncer, I'VE learned few things
about the subject, the hard way. |
Whether you're just awaiting your |
bundle from heaven" or have al !
ready plunged into the career OF
motherhood, you should get two
books by DR.. and Mrs. @. A. Aldricll
from the library. Babies Are
Human Beings and Feeding Our
Problem Children" The last thing
the nurse told me when I left the
hospital was to let the baby cry,
but I found that following DR..
Aldrich's advice was far better for
both the baby and us. We picked
him UP when he cried and soon
discovered he had very legitimate
reason. For instance, just turning
him over often quieted him. I play
with my baby and hold him when
ever I feel like it, and I'm sure the
confidence and security he feels
are largely responsible for his good
nature.
II you can possibly nurse your
baby while, do it. It's right in
style now, and does wonders to get
your figure back In shape. It's
really time saver, not to mention
the fact that 1t almost always
agrees with delicate little stomachs.
Be cure to give him few bottles
Of formula each week, so he'll get
used to 1t. Putting him on 3-hour
schedule at first was infinitely more
satisfactory than the usual hour.
I started to give him part of his
orange juice or water with a baby
spoon Immediately and he soon got
used to it. At months I used
the cup for same and he now drinks
without spilling. I've heard that
starting with small cream pitcher
works wonders. When I feed the
baby, I put my left foot up on my
right knee, most unlady like but
comfortable for him and this leaves
both your hands free.
For a new mother I would advise
getting a minimum of essential
clothes. Babies grow so quickly.
Three of everything; shirts, wrap
pers, nightgowns, suits, works fine
for me, as I wash every other day
(using soapless detergents and borax
to soften Washington hard water)
When the baby Is tiny, waterproof
pads may be slipped between diaper
and gown. I made mine, using a
few thicknesses of cotton fannelette
backed by waterproof plastic. At 8
months I put him in waterproof
pants Il find the new plastic ones
that button quite satisfactory when
cared for according to directions). Be
sure to use large pants with plenty
Of room at waist and legs, and
change the baby regularly. Using
oil to protect delicate skin all the
time has helped me avoid diaper
rash.
The contributor who said hus-
bands would rather see freshened-
up wife instead of an immaculate
house was absolutely right. Re-
member your husband will be with
you after your children have grown
and left. He should come first, and
will get just as big a thrill out Of
your offspring as you do. But he
has to know the baby just as well
to do this, so let him dress, feed and
bathe his child when he can, even
If your heart does skip beat at his
awkwardness. Men are tradition
ally frightened of tiny, wiggly babies
and besides, you weren't SO good
when you first tried it.
AS a final word, do get your baby
used to strangers. Take him to
friends houses, to see other chill
dren, and let other people hold him.
Babies are extremely sensitive to
change so let him see the new per-
son first from the safety of your
arms, look him over and observe how
friendly the stranger is, then switch
laps. But you stand by to reassure
him for a while until he gets used
to it. Well-meaning friends and rel
attves will be spared the embarrass-
ment of juniors squalls that way.
Above all, remember to shower
your baby with affection. How would
you like 1t If you came to live in a
strange place and nobody was friend
ly to you?
CURTAINS FOR BOYS ROOM;
HANDWRITING; FEATHERS.
(Fron Mrs. D. M. L.. WGshingto1.)
To Mrs. A. M. for a boys room, I
made curtains out of red, white and
blue seersucker. After washing
hang them up soaking wet with
pans under them and they will
shring back to the original length.
To M. r. Greenbelt, I studied
handwriting years ago and obtained
by books from the Public Library
In Washington.
To Mrs. ]. R. MEG, Arlington.