The baby’s diaper should be changed whenever it is wet or soiled, for in addition to making him restless and fretful for the time being, the skin about the thighs and buttocks will grow red and chafed if he is allowed to wear wet diapers. Wet diapers should not be dried and used again but washed with a mild soap, boiled and whenever possible, dried in the open-air and sunshine.
All of this makes it apparent that the regular use of waterproof protectors cannot be justified since the chief reason for putting them on a baby is to avoid the necessity of changing his diaper as soon as it is wet. Under special circumstances such as a drive, a short journey or visit the diaper may be protected by water-proof drawers. Their habitual use saves work for the nurse but makes the baby uncomfortable and unhappy.
The petticoat should be of light-weight, cotton and wool flannel, cut after the familiar Gertrude pattern and hang straight from the shoulders. It may fasten in the back or on the shoulders, with small buttons or with tapes. Tapes are often objected to on the ground that the baby tangles them up with his fingers, which annoys him, and often puts them in his mouth. This petticoat is worn practically all the time, except during very warm weather.
The slips or dresses are most satisfactory if cut after the same pattern as the petticoat, with the addition of sleeves which may be set in, or of the kimono style. The dresses serve chiefly to keep the petticoats clean and make the baby look dainty, and are accordingly made of soft cotton material such as nainsook, cambric or lawn. In summer, it is true, the petticoat is often discarded and the thin slip put on over the shirt and diaper.
The night gowns are made like the dresses but are of soft flannel or stockinette, in cold weather, and tape is often run through the hems in order that they may be drawn up, bag-fashion, to keep the baby’s feet warm. During very warm weather the baby sleeps in a thin cotton slip.
In addition to these garments there are many times when a soft little sacque or wrapper is used to keep the baby warm, and one or two flannel squares (one yard), to wrap around him when he is carried about the house are practically indispensable.
The petticoats, dresses and night gowns are cut about twenty-seven inches long and many doctors feel that they offer sufficient protection for the feet of the average baby to make stockings unnecessary until he is from four to six months old. The skirts may then be shortened to ankle length and stockings added to the little wardrobe. Some doctors think it wiser to put knitted socks or part wool stockings on the new baby particularly if he is born during cold weather.
When the baby begins to creep, he should wear soft soled shoes, part wool stockings in cold weather and thin cotton or silk ones during the summer, and firm but flexible soled shoes as soon as he tries to stand alone or to walk.
During the first month or two, the baby scarcely needs special clothing for out-door wear, as he may be warmly wrapped in one of the flannel squares by being placed on it diagonally, the upper corner folded about his head to form a hood and held under his chin with a safety pin. The corners on the sides are folded about his shoulders, the lower one brought up over his feet and limbs and the additional blankets tucked in over all. But as he grows older and moves about in his carriage, he will need a cap and cloak or wrap with hood attached. In cold weather the cap should be knitted or wool lined and the cloak of soft woolen material or wool lined. In moderate weather the cap may be of one thickness of cotton or silk, or very light flannel, while on very warm days he will need no head covering.
To sum up: The baby’s clothes should be simple in design, hang from the shoulders, fit smoothly but loosely and have no constricting bands; they should be soft, light and porous, their warmth always adjusted to the immediate temperature so that the baby will be protected from being either chilled or overheated. And his clothing must always be clean and dry.