Is there any advantage in having a child take its airing during the first five or six months in the nurse's arms?
None whatever. A child can be made much more comfortable in a baby carriage, and can be equally well protected against exposure by blankets and the carriage umbrella.
What are the objections to an infant's sleeping out of doors?
There are no real objections. It is not true that infants take cold more easily when asleep than awake, while it is almost invariably the case that those who sleep out of doors are stronger children and less prone to take cold than others.
What can be done for children who take cold upon the slightest provocation?
They should be kept in cool rooms, especially when asleep They should not wear such heavy clothing that they are in a perspiration much of the time. Every morning the body, particularly the chest and back, should be sponged with cold water (50° to 60° F.).
How should this cold sponge bath be given?
The child should stand in a tub containing a little warm water, and a large bath sponge filled with cold water should be squeezed two or three times over the body. This should be followed by a vigorous rubbing with a towel until the skin is quite red. This may be used at three years, and often at two years. For infants a little higher temperature (65° to 70°) may be used.
[ WEIGHT, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT ]
Of what importance is the weight of the child?