LOOK AFTER BABY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 199, 5 January 1942, Page 2

LOOK AFTER BABY

WHAT TO DO IN A RAID PLUNKET SOCIETY'S ADVICE The following information has been supplied to us by the Whakatane branch of the Plunket Society and will be helpful to wise mothers who believe in taking all precautions against a possible emergency. The baby in an air raid or other emergency: In preparation for an emergency it is advisable for everj mother with a baby to have ready a bundle containing: A blanket or rug, a pillow to lie baby on, feeding bottle, and teat (whether baby is breast fed or not) or a mug, (if baby is older), ;j or 4 napkins. It is advisable also to have a small first aid outfit ready containing: A small bottle of dettol or cyllin; lint or clean old linen (4in to 6in square); roller bandage 2in, fiinger bandage and triangular bandage; reel adhesive tape; small roll cotton wool; Karitane ointment, lanoline or vase.line; scissors. It is advisable that every mother should provide for herself and each of her family a label bearing their full names . and addresses. An ordinary tie-on label will do for this. Ft can be attached to the wrist. If obliged to leave the house: When a warning is sounded or bombs or gunfire are heard, take baby to the nearest shelter or canteen or rest station as quickly as possible, but do not push or scramble you may injure your own baby and someone else's too. Sec baby is sufficiently warmly clad according to the season. Take ycur bundle and emergency outfit as described above. Take something to amuse baby and don't forget the extra napkins. If baby has been weaned, take his bott'e of milk and a bottle of water in any ease, as you may be there for some time. When Indoors: If you have a shelter, take baby into it. If not, taki? him to the part of the house already decided on as the safest. The greatest danger is from flying debris and from glass, and if you have no room specially adapted as a refuge, you should see what extra cover you can give baby. Place him in a cupboard such as one under the stairs, or under a table c>r a bed with an eiderdown or mattress hanging over the side. If you arc caught by a raid with no time to go to your shelter: You may have a specially constructed shelter in the garden, but may sometimes not have time to go to it. In this case, you should take baby to the safest place in the house, selected as already describee). When out with baby and no shelter available: If you have a perambulator put one cushion on the ground, lay baby on it, and put the other cushion or a thick coat over him. You yourself lie face downwards. If possible, you should find some sort of cover to lie beside, such as a wall, however low, or a ditch, and place baby between yourself and the wall. Remember that you are much safer lying down than either sitting or standing, as splinters are likely to l go over your liead if you are lying down. Personal care of, baby-: Block his ears with cotton wool (leaving plenty of wool outside the ear so as to draw it out easily) to avoid concussion. Keep his mouth open if possible. Put a shawl or rug over him to> protect him from splinters, but see that he can breathe freely. Take some extra napkins. Your own mental attitude: However frightened you may feel, keep' outwardly calm and unflurried so that the child's confidence in your own protectiveness may not be shaken "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."