Children well and happy

by May Dickinson Kimball

Knitted bands. Knitted bands may be of wool and cotton or of silk and wool. Next to the smallest size is the most practical one to buy. It should fit snugly, should not wrinkle, and should not have rough seams.

Shirts. Baby shirts come in several sizes and weights. It is well to begin with the second size, as the first size is so soon outgrown. They should be high-necked, long-sleeved, and should open all the way down the front. Silk and wool is the best material because it is light in weight and wears well. The lightest weight should be worn in summer, a little heavier weight in the spring and fall, and a still heavier in the winter. There is a tendency in winter time to use shirts that are too heavy. The result is that the baby perspires too freely. This makes his clothing damp and renders him more liable to take cold. Babies living in overheated houses and wearing clothing that is too warm soon become sensitive to cold and drafts and are less able to resist sickness.

Flannel gertrudes. The gertrudes should be made of all-wool flannel or of wool and cotton. They should open on the shoulders.

Dresses. The dresses should be simply made of soft material. They should be laundered without starch. Both the shirt and the dress should be loose around the baby’s neck and arms, since any tightness or roughness in the clothing may irritate the skin.

Nightgowns. Nightgowns may be made of flannel, stockinet, cotton, or flannelette. The winter nightgowns should be long enough to allow the bottom to be closed by a draw string. This will make sure that the baby’s feet are covered at all times even if he kicks off his bedclothes.

Diapers. Diapers should be made of bird’s-eye linen, cotton, or stockinet. For a young baby they should measure about eighteen or twenty inches square and be folded but once. Never use a folded inside diaper, as a wad of thick material between the legs is injurious. A small inside folded cloth five inches square may be used, or a quilted pad about ten inches square may be laid under the baby after the diaper is on. This pad will protect the skirts from urine. During the mother’s waking hours the diaper should be changed as often as it is wet or soiled. In the night it should be changed when the baby is taken up for feeding or if he is restless.

All diapers should be washed each time after they become wet. The soap used in washing them should be carefully rinsed out, and they should be boiled thoroughly at least twice a week. A careless soaking and wringing through one or two waters is not an adequate cleansing. Care must be taken in selecting the soap to be used in washing the diapers, since some soaps will cause an irritation of the skin, even when the clothing has been well rinsed.

Stockings. It is important to keep the baby’s legs and feet warm. Stockings and diapers should meet. In cold weather the baby should wear stockings; in summer he will not require any covering for his feet.

Short clothes. The baby should be put into short clothes about the fifth month, for at that time he begins to show signs of wanting to use his legs and to kick. It is not wise, however, to make this change during very cold weather.

Clothing in summer. The greatest care should be taken to see that the baby is not dressed too warmly in summer. Too heavy clothing whether in summer or in winter will make him perspire too freely and render him more liable to colds and bowel troubles. The mother should feel of his body occasionally; if she finds it constantly moist, the clothing is too warm. In summer only the thinnest undershirts should be worn, and warmer outer garments should be added as it grows cool toward night. Light-weight knitted or crocheted jackets are easily made.