Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-24
BY AMELIA YOUNG

Barely Gao DdDl6S may nave
been restricted to the boudoir
In grandmother's day. But
when the modern baby sallies
forth in summer with only his
diaper, T-shirt and aplomb
about him, let no one say he's
underdresSed.
According to a child expert,
the correct hot-weather attire
for children is "a minimum
amount"
Expert Advice
The expert is DR.. Marian
Crane (chief of the Research
Interpretation Branch of the
Children's Bureau Research
Division. Depart m ent of
Health, Education and We'll
farce. who gave us some dos
and don'tS for keeping chill
dren cool and healthy in the
heat, which we pass on to you.
Although the rule is: The
less clothes the cooler, the
doctor recommends "a light
cotton shirt, in addition to
the diaper; that way, when you
touch the baby, he won't feel
hot sticky hands upon him."
Even in such brief dress,
there is no danger of the baby
catching cold provided he is
not left in a draft. A fan is
fine for the bedroom to keep
the air circulating, but, again,
1T should not be directed at the
child. For best circulation
around the crib, keep the crib
out of a corner.
To add to juniors sleeping
comfort. make the bed I'D with
an absorbent pad over the
rubber sheet and see that the
bed linen is tucked in tightly.
Mad dogs and Englishmen
may like the MONDAY sun, but
it's no fun for baby. Putting
an infant outside in a carriage
at midday is like putting him
out to broil," says DR.. Crane,
who explains that even when
the carriage is shaded, the
air circulation is poor. Don't
try to develop too deep a tan"
in children, she says and tells
mothers to particularly avoid
a sunburn, which, like any
other burn, is an injury" The
best time to let a child play
out-of doors on a hot day is
in the morning or late after
noon.
If the baby does get over
exposed, the doctors advice
is: Sponge him with a little
diluted vinegar. 1t is cooling
and will take away some of
the sting"
Hot weather can reduce the
appetite Of a child just as it
can an adults. "A baby is
usually properly selective about
what he eats. You shouldn't
try to force food on him." our
counselor continues. But be
sure to offer him plenty of
water"
Special protection of food
is necessary at this time
Of year when flies, which
will contaminate it, are so
numerous.
For general protection
against other insects:
If mosquitoes are thick in
your neighborhood, keep mos
quito netting over a child
sleeping outside.
Prevent bites on the "run-
about" child lin park or coun-
try by using one Of the re-
pellent lotions on his skin.
A child who plays around
shrubbery or bushes should be
inspected at regular intervals
cat noon and bedtime would
be enough for ticks.
To remove tick already at
tached to the skin, put a dab
Of oil. grease or cold cream on
It (this suffocates the insect:
it will loosen its hold and can
then be picked of with tweez-
ers or cleansing tissue; should
be Immediately crushed in
paper and flushed away or
burnt.
In hot weather a child may
feel less like taking his nap.
But, says the doctor. che def
nitely needs a period Of quiet
away from people. when he
can rest" II he is more rest
less just lying in his crib with
out toys, let him have a few
toys to play with quietly. she
counsels. "or a mother may sit
and read to the child"
When parents find 1t difficult
TO observe a child's regular
bedtime ("some bedrooms are
still so hot at that time") they