A very good routine which will establish the baby in regular habits is this: First bottle at six o’clock in the morning, after which baby is quite content to lie in his crib, drowsy and cozy, or amusing himself with fists as his only toys. After the mother has dressed and had her breakfast in comfort she gives the baby his bath; and at nine o’clock feeds him again. Then, if the day is pleasant, she tucks him into his carriage or outdoor crib and lets him have his morning nap outdoors. This gives her time to do her morning work, and, if the baby is fed partly or wholly on the bottle, to prepare the modified milk for the day’s use. At twelve comes another feeding while mother is having her luncheon. Baby sleeps again while mother dresses; and then both go out for an airing. At three comes the fourth bottle for the day, after which baby has his real recreation while lying on the bed, or on a comfortable on the floor in warm weather. Just before he has his six o’clock bottle he is made comfortable for the night; and he is not taken out of bed again until morning except to be changed and fed.
Sometimes it is almost as hard for the mother to maintain a routine as it is for the child, but it is certainly a worth while investment of time and energy to train the child to live up to this régime.
Good looks and attractiveness in a child depend a great deal upon his way of eating. He should be taught to eat slowly from the time that his little teeth break into solid food. Carefully masticated food is an aid to digestion. When food is half chewed, or the child is permitted to bolt his food, indigestion is sure to follow, the child looks anemic or sallow, and he even has unsightly eruptions, pimples, etc., while still very young.
Fresh air is a great beautifier. When the child cannot be taken outdoors because of the severity of the weather, the ventilation in the nursery should be perfect; and at least once during the day the baby should be dressed in all his outdoor raiment and allowed to stay out of the draught in a room where the windows are wide open.
Little habits of cleanliness in the care of the nails, the teeth, and the hair not only make the child attractive to those around it, but yield big returns in comfort for the child himself.
It is good discipline to see that the child picks up his clothes as they are taken off; and his toys should be placed in the closet when he is through playing with them. When such things are made a privilege and not a penalty, when the child is taught that an orderly closet means a special pat and kiss from mother, putting away his toys will really mean a great deal to him.
Teasing is the worst possible interference with discipline. Never allow your baby to be teased by adults or other children. Some children become highly nervous under teasing, others turn sullen and resentful.
There is wonderful power in happiness and affection. Surround your child with both. Add sympathy and intelligent understanding of his needs and development, and you will, indeed, have a better baby.
CHAPTER XIII
BABY’S AILMENTS AND HOW TO TREAT THEM
MOTHERS NOW STUDYING PREVENTIVE MEDICINE—REMEDIES WHICH SHOULD BE FOUND IN EVERY NURSERY—TREATMENT OF DIARRHEA AND CONSTIPATION—COLDS AND THEIR CURE—ADENOIDS AND THEIR REMOVAL—AILMENTS OF THE SKIN