THE RUNABOUT BABY

"Runabouts" are the little folks between the age of one and three years, and they require good care, good feeding, and warm and comfortable dressing.

In general, they need the same fresh air, daily outings, and daily naps of the younger child. Their hands need washing oftener, and their clothing, which is usually a play romper, should be either of white or fast colors that it may be most thoroughly boiled, thus getting a good disinfection. Their eyes, nose, and ears, as well as the genital organs, all require the most rigid daily cleanliness.

The "bugbear" second summer need not be feared by the mother who takes particular care to see that:

  1. The drinking water is boiled or distilled.
  2. The orange is not overripe.
  3. The banana is not underripe or overripe and is not eaten in chunks.
  4. The milk is fresh and pasteurized.
  5. The baby does not eat candy, ice cream, or other forbidden foods.
  6. The baby's bowels move daily.
  7. He does not remain dirty.
  8. He naps daily.
  9. He is protected from dust, flies, flees, and mosquitoes.
  10. He does not go visiting, to church, shops, or "movies."

The second summer is no harder than the first, as good clean water, easily digested foods, and good general hygiene are all a baby needs at this time. A large army of little folks grow up in spite of the little care they get and the place in which they live. Did they not possess good vital resistance, sound nerves, and good digestion, the children of the "slums" and of the "ghetto" would quickly succumb to their unhygienic surroundings.