Better babies and their care

by Anna Steese Richardson

Quite likely they did—but what of the tender skin, plastered with vile laundry soap, reeking with alkali and unhealthy fats? Can you imagine what irritation might result?

For the active baby the diaper may be attached by safety-pins to the knitted band or shirt, and then long stockings may be pinned to the diapers. Never, NEVER use round garters on little babies. They will deform the limbs.

These long stockings, like socks, come in fine grades of cotton-and-silk, and pure silk. Children should never wear woolen stockings after discarding the bootees. They cause perspiration and invite cold.

When baby’s clothes are shortened, tiny slippers or moccasins made of kid or piqué are worn with long or short stockings, according to the weather. The fad of sending young children barelegged into the cold is passing. It was supposed to harden the flesh and increase the child’s powers of endurance. To-day parents realize that children should have their legs exposed only in warm weather.

Now for the flannel skirt, which for a month at least is the only skirt the baby wears. A very good model consists of two strips of flannel, silk-and-wool, or cotton-and-wool, one 25 inches long, and the other 30 inches, bound all the way round with a flat silk braid. The longer piece forms the back of the skirt, and folds up over the front like the flap of an envelope. This may be fastened with safety-pins or with very flat buttons and buttonholes or loops. It affords a perfect protection for the baby’s feet. If the old-fashion straight skirt is preferred, it should be 26 inches long, finished with binding-ribbon or closely worked scallops. Hems in flannel always wash badly. Either one of these skirts is hung from the shoulders, never gathered on a band and pinned round the waist. What is known as the Gertrude skirt has shaped armholes, is closed back and front and is fastened with little buttons over the shoulders.

When baby reaches the dress-up stage, for very special occasions, a white cotton skirt, 27 inches long, in nainsook, longcloth, or batiste may be added; but this, too, must be fitted over the shoulders.

The first slips worn by the baby should be of the simplest style and in the softest cotton material obtainable. They should be 27 inches long, or just long enough to cover the flannel petticoat. They are made without any trimming. Neck and wrists are finished with plain, flat, narrow bands. The neck is run and tied with fine flat tape. Lace or embroidery will cause irritation of the soft skin and may lead to eczema. If a mother feels that she must trim any of these little slips, let her embroider small designs around the bottom of the skirt, and on the front of the dress far enough below the neck so that even the wrong side of the embroidery cannot touch the flesh.

What were once known as “long clothes” are no longer used by intelligent mothers. The christening robe and its fellow-frocks which sweep the floor are now reserved for royal babies on state occasions.

For the first few weeks of its life the less the baby is handled the better, and it may sleep in the simple little slip which it wears during the day. This means that its clothes will be changed only once in 24 hours: that is, in the morning, when given its regular bath. In cold weather the outing-flannel wrappers may be drawn over the slips, especially at night. Later the day slips may be removed when the baby is undressed for the night and outing-flannel or stockinette nightgowns may be substituted.

The little crocheted or knitted jackets and the kimonas of soft flannel are a concession to the sentiment of the mother rather than to the needs of the baby. If the room is cool during the first few weeks of the baby’s life he may be wrapped lightly in a small woolen shawl or square of flannel, which is more easily adjusted than the jacket or short kimona with sleeves. Be careful not to wind the shawl around tightly. He will fret under the pressure.