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OUR BABIES

TBt Higeia.l Published under the auspices of tho Society for the Health of Women and ■ Children."It is wiser to put up a fenco at tho top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom." CONSTIPATION IN BiIEAST-FED BABIES. (Continued.) In the last article we gave some extracts from thvee letters from mothers, each of whom was experiencing difficulty in overcoming constipation in her breastfed infant. We dealt with the use of the enema, and then described the method ot performing abdominal massage for the treatment of constipation, emphasising the fact that the massage must .be done ctnciently if it is to be really effective. The following is the case we promised to describe illustrating the combination of massage and the enema;— Cbbc Illustrating the Combined Use of Massage .and the Enema. Some years ago a breast-fed baby was brought to us suffering from the most obstinate constipation. A trained general hospital muse was in attendance, but she had had little experience with babies. The nurse was asked lo massage the abdomen before resorting to an enema. We were surprised to iiud that the nurse began to manipulate the abdomen without an;; rational system, exercising pressure in a direction the reverse of the course in which the bowel-contents have to move, and not using pressure deep enough to be at all effective iu any case. A skilled expert then did tin- massage for a minute or two, and as no movement took place an ounce of normal saline (see page 112 under Enema, "Feeding aud Care of Baby") was injected. This produced no result. After waiting about live minutes massage was tried again. Still no result. An. injection of about 2oz. was then given, and after it massage proved perfectly effective. The whole time occupied from beginning to end was, perhaps, Quarter of an hour, and the baby suffered no tlißcomfort, and did not cry. In this case perfect regularity wrs in duced withiu the week by the s'mplc means we have described, though every other measure had' failed. How to Dp Abdominal Massage. It is so important that niothers should have a clear picture of how abdominal massage should be gone about that we feel impelled to summarise Ihe method of manipulation again, first asking our readers to turn un page 4 of "Feeding aud Care of Baby." and to look carefully at diagram A while reading the following description :— A sausage-like tube starts just above the outer part, of the right groin aud runs upwards to the margin of the rib, then curves away across the abdomen above the navel until it reaches the rib in the left ilauk, where it curves round sharply, and descends to reach the left groin; it then passes downwards aud backwards to joiu the rectum, from which the motions are expelled. The main point is to manipulate the abdomen (following round the horseshoe of the large intestine as described above), pressing gently and yet firmly and deeply, the lingers eventually almost touching the back wall of the abdomen on the right, side. If ihis pressure were exercised without allowing for the breathing, the, child would struggle and resist at once, aud the wall of the abdomen would become quite stiff; but if the pressure is gently and tactfully applied mainly with- each intake of the breath (when the abdomen naturally slackens), it is quite easy to use continuous pressure in successive waves, as it were, gradually getting deeper and deeper, without arousing the opposition of the muscles. Of course, the hand doing the massage must be warmed, and it is well to dip the lingers in warmed olive oil, though opinions vary with regard to this.

What wo want to impress on onr readers is that, to be effective for the rcliefof constipation, massage should be definitely and skilfully carried out. The technique, however, is quite simple, and it can be easily learned from a competent masseuse. At the same time it is a mistake to suppose that simple surface rubbing of the abdomen with the fingers, carried out ■in the right direction even by some unskilled person, is useless. Any such rubbing and kneading of the abdomen tends to increase the activity of the movements of tho bowel. Indeed, to a lesser extent, massage of the limbs tends in the same direction, because constipation is generally associated more or less with insufficient tone and activity ot tbe whole sv_stcm, ami rubbing of any kind acts as a general stimulus. Olive Oil. In addition to careful attention to all the hygienic essentials, which my correspondents seem to have carried out well, there is not much to be said, except that, besides giving fruit juice, half a teaspoonful of the best olive oil might bo tried, and this might be gradually increased until a moderate-sized teaspoonful was taken. This should be given before tho last feeding in the evening. Olive oil is generally extremely well borne by babies, and it agrees with them where there may be difficulty with cream. In any case, the giving of cream' for constipation, though sometimes recommended, is not desirable— indeed, the presonce of too much butterfat is liable to aggravate matters, giving rise to what is known as "fat constipation." national Methods. I am sure that the readers of this column will realise that the rational way to deal with a tendency to constipation, whether in the case of a baby or an adult, is to get the individual into the best possible all-round health and vigour, neglecting none of tho essentials mentioned on pages 1 and 2 of the society's book. Tho commonest mistake is trying merely one 'thiug at a time where you want tho cumulative effect of a number of factors used in moderation, <sucb as massage, fruit juice, olive oil. etc., none of which might bring about the desired result if used by itself. Continue Nursing Baba. Our Queensland correspondent asks if wo think she is right in continuing to uurse her baby without the aid of bottles. We have not the slightest doubt on this point. A mother should never resort to bottle-feeding, unless for some absolute aud unquestionable reason, such, for instance, as tuberculosis, or because the supply of breast milk cannot be brought up to the required quantity. But even then the baby should be suckled regularly every feeding time, and the deficiency made up by bottle. (See pages 6, 10, aud 67 to 59, "Feeding and Care of Baby.") We sympathise and concur with our correspondent's view that a mother ought to do everything in her power to ensure a good start in life for her children—and nothing can compare with the advantages of breast-feeding.

On Saturday afternoon the committee of the Pioneer Club gave a farewell afternoon tea for Mrs. Martin, who is resigning from the secretaryship of the club. Tea was set in the main room, which had been prettily arranged with white narcissi and birch foliage. During the afternoon the Misses Putnam played a pianoforte duet, Mrs. Bates recited, and Mrs. Ivan Levy sang. Mrs. ■&. R. Atkinson (the president) made eulogistic references to the work of Mrs. Martin for the club, and expressed the regret which was felt at her departure. Mrs. Martin, in thanking Mrs. Atkinson and the committee for their good wishes, said how much she had enjoyed her work in connection with club matters, and how greatly she regretted her severance with it. H.AIES ON, THE PACE. Superfluous Tlair is one of the most distressing, blemishes with which women are afflicted, and hitherto there has been no permanent cure. Electrolysis invariably leaves the face badly marked, even more disfiguring than the hair, and depilatories are worse than useless, for they only burn the hair off, and cause it to grow out doubly 6trong. "KULDAH" is a medical formula, which has no equal for destroying the roots of the hairs; it is quite unlike any other superfluous hair remedy, and it behoves every woman so afflicted to give "KULDAH" a trial. It leaves no trace of anything having been applied, and is a marvellous cure, as thousands of satisfied users have proved; price, Cs. Sd., in plain sealed wrapper, from G. Mee, Chemist. Lambton Quay, Wellington (if posted 3d. extra).—Advt. "Sydal" is without doubt the most perfect emollient you can nso at this time of the year to protect your skin and complexion from the ill-effects of wind, ilnst, and heat. Koughness, redness, irritation, and chaps can all be prevented; while, if you already suffer from such condition '"Svdal" will speedily banish it. Use "Sydal" daily and keep your hands, face, arms, and neck in perfect condition. 2s. at all chemists and stores. -Advt. ________ For grey and faded hair use Donnelly'* GToy Hair Tonic, 3s. fid. Donnelly, 65 Vivian Street.—Advt. NAZOL acts like a charm in tackling coughs and colds. 1 Penetrating and germkilling. Better than mixtures or syrups. Most economical. Is. Gd. buys 60 doses.—Advt.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19170723.2.7

Bibliographic details

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 3

Word Count
1,496

OUR BABIES Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 3

OUR BABIES Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 3

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