Knitted binders are more elastic than flannel.
Cotton bird’s-eye, or cheap outing flannel diapering is warmer and more absorbent than linen or canton flannel; stockinet is best.
Cotton material for slips, and lace or embroidery for trimmings, should be very soft.
Viyella flannel, which is half wool and non-shrinking, is most satisfactory; loosely woven flannel, half wool, with silk or cotton, is soft, shrinks little, and is warmer than heavy, close weaves.
Outing or Shaker flannel is all cotton; the soft nap is highly inflammable.
Crêpe, crepon, and woolens, should be shrunk before making.
Knitted shawls, jackets, and quilts are warmer and lighter than woven fabrics; avoid colors unless guaranteed non-fading.
For the knitted (ready-made) shirts, some authorities prefer all cotton, others part wool. All wool is never advisable, as the baby’s skin is very sensitive, and furthermore, all wool shrinks badly. For most babies, under average conditions, one-quarter wool, three-quarters cotton or silk is advised. In very warm weather, all cotton is better. In very cold climates, half or three-quarters wool may be advisable. Silk has no special advantage over cotton. Babies with very delicate skin, eczema, or any rash should never have wool next the skin. Some manufacturers now make part wool knitted underwear, having only the cotton thread next the skin, wool outside.
The binder is worn only two or three weeks, as a protector to the navel until it is healed. It should be fastened comfortably, not tight. With delicate babies or those out of doors in cold weather, a band with shoulder straps may be worn as a substitute during the first year, although this is unnecessary with a double-breasted shirt. The Vanta binders and shirts (double-breasted), fastening with twistless tape instead of buttons, are especially satisfactory.
