Better babies and their care

by Anna Steese Richardson

If the habit has grown on the child, discipline alone will cure it. If, however, it amounts almost to an acute disease, overtaking the child suddenly after it has passed its second birthday, the baby should be examined by the family physician.

Masturbation is a habit which every mother should dread. But she should consider this, also, in the light of a symptom first and foremost. I do not believe that average children, of average parents, are born into the world depraved or with vicious tendencies. The terrible habit of masturbation, which breaks down the child’s physical, mental, and moral nature, and often turns a healthy, normal child into a defective, may be caused by carelessness on the part of the mother. The genitals are extremely sensitive and easily inflamed. If the parts are not kept immaculately clean there is discomfort, which the child tries to relieve by scratching the genitals, by rubbing them against the leg of a chair or table or by rubbing the thighs against each other. It is a simple and natural effort to secure relief from irritation, precisely as a child scratches his arm or neck after being bitten by a mosquito. For this reason the mother should wash the parts carefully, not only while the child wears diapers, but as he grows older. When he is old enough to wash himself the mother should explain the importance of cleanliness in the care of the genitals. This is the time to speak the firm word of warning against handling these parts. The child who has been taught to obey in other things will obey these instructions.

The mother who has a nurse-girl should talk to her very seriously about the care of the child’s genitals and about guarding him against the formation of any bad habits.

Children who have acquired this habit are generally nervous, restless, and irritable. During the act itself the child’s face flushes, and this is followed by violent perspiration on the forehead and face; then drowsiness sets in; but the child does not sleep well. He has a dull face and generally an anemic appearance.

In infants cleanliness and plentiful powdering will soon cure the habit. Older children must be watched and disciplined, not with punishment, but with reasoning and firmness.

Nervousness is a condition which may become a habit. Some children are easily frightened, cry out when left in the dark, or indulge in repeated little actions like blinking the eyes, clearing the throat, shrugging the shoulders, and making spasmodic movements with the legs and arms. Such a child should be examined by a physician and, if there is real nervous trouble, treated correctly. If it is habit, the child may be given firmly to understand that he is not pleasant and not pretty when he does such things, but when he refrains from doing them he is more likable and attractive. The average child does want people to love him, does like to be admired; and this is the surest way of teaching him self-control.

Sometimes a child is nervous because his parents are nervous; or he does not have enough fresh air; or does not sleep in a quiet room; he has too much excitement; sees too many people; or is taken into crowds. Plenty of fresh air and sleep and regular habits will cure this form of nervousness.

After all, habits of eating, sleeping, bathing, the regular movements of the bowels, the control of the urine, even the control of the temper, are the result of regularity on the part of the mother. She starts her baby in life by establishing a regular routine for feeding, sleeping, bathing, clothing, and exercise in fresh air. The baby fits into this little routine complacently.

When a child is irregular in any of its habits, it is simply because the mother has not realized the importance of routine. The mother waits on the child when she has time, and neglects him when she has not. The child becomes nervous and irritable under this lack of system, and demands attention whenever he wakes up.

The child who has never known any habit except that of going to bed at six at night and waking up at six in the morning follows this course with little variation until he is old enough to learn from other children that one may sit up till all hours if one cries for it. Up to this time he has been very comfortable in his habit of early retiring; now he demands the privilege of sitting up with his elders; and if he is allowed to do this he is started on one very bad habit, fretting and fuming until his wishes are granted.