Stockings and booties ordinarily are not needed during the first year except when the baby is kicking and creeping about with a temperature below 68° F., or for appearance when he is taken out in arms. See that the feet are warm, but not hot or moist. Stockings are always coming off or getting wet from the diaper; they keep the feet perspiring, making them tender and increasing the possibility of colds. When worn, they should be of cotton, or in very cold weather, one quarter or one half wool; all wool are overheating and shrink badly. When the baby begins standing or creeping, the leather Indian moccasins may be used. Other baby shoes on the market have many faults,—tightness across toes and instep, seams turned inside, non-porous patent leather; slippery, stiff, or rough soles; they produce only discomfort at the time and are productive of callouses, corns, bunions, and misshaped feet. At twelve or fifteen months a heavier-soled Indian moccasin may be worn or sandals with flexible, corrugated soles, roomy at the toes, shaped like the foot, right and left, soft, porous (not patent) leather, perfectly smooth inside, using gaiters or leggings with these for out-of-doors in damp or cold weather.
Diapering. Reduce the number of wet and soiled diapers by training.
Begin training at one week of age.
Hold a small (warmed) cuspidor firmly in the lap.
Hold the baby above this, the legs extended in the hands, back resting against the mother’s chest.
Do this at regular time for stool, early morning or late afternoon.
The use of a suppository for a few days will assist; use a little roll of soft, clean paper dipped in liquid vaseline.
Note on daily record the interval between feeding or drinking, and urinating (20 to 30 minutes).
Hold the baby for urinating at these regular times when awake and before beginning the bath.
In a few months he will learn to control the bladder as well as the bowels for these times, when awake.