THE BLADDER AND THE BOWELS OF AN INFANT.
87. Have you any hints to offer respecting the bowels and the bladder of an infant during the first three months of his existence?
A mother ought daily to satisfy herself as to the state of the bladder and the bowels of her child. She herself should inspect the motions, and see that they are of a proper color (bright yellow, inclining to orange) and consistence (that of thick gruel), that they are neither slimy, nor curdled, nor green; if they should be either the one or the other, it is a proof that she herself has, in all probability, been imprudent in her diet, and that it will be necessary for the future that she be more careful both in what she eats and in what she drinks.
She ought, moreover, to satisfy herself that the urine does not smell strongly, that it does not stain the napkins, and that he make a sufficient quantity.
A frequent cause of a child crying is, he is wet and uncomfortable, and wants drying and changing, and the only way he has of informing his mother of the fact is by crying lustily, and thus telling her in most expressive language of her thoughtlessness and carelessness.
88. How soon may an infant dispense with napkins?
A baby three months and upward, ought to be held out at least a dozen times during the twenty-four hours; if such a plan were adopted, napkins might at the end of three months be dispensed with—a great desideratum—and he would be inducted into clean habits—a blessing to himself, and a comfort to all around, and a great saving of dresses and of furniture. “Teach your children to be clean. A dirty child is the mother’s disgrace.” Truer words were never written: A DIRTY CHILD IS THE MOTHER’S DISGRACE!