OUR BABIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 November 1929, Page 10

OUR BABIES

TEACHING FOR' GIRLS

(By Hygeia).

I am indebted to a Plunket Nurse Xpr the following article, inspired by the admirable answers received in a recent examination test given by her to a group of Girl Guides who had been studying the care of little children: — “The health of tlie race lies in the health of its babies. Healthy mothers Tiave healthy babies born to' them, and it is by the loving care of the baby from the moment of birth that its health may be preserved. But neither love nor care can take the place of knowledge and experience. The right way to deal with the difficulties which threaten a baby’s health must be “learnt,” for the promptings of instinct and affection alone ar© vague and uncertain, but where knowledge and devotion go hand ih hand management rests on a sure foundation.

“Fortunate is the infant whoTs the beloved charge of a healthy and wise mother, for from her he shall derive both sustenance for the body and food for the mind. His ways will be founded in regularity and order and guided with loving watchfulness. “That the study of mothercraft is one that appeals greatly to most girls is clearly illustrated by the answers given to the questions set in a recent examination of Girl Guides for their “Child Nurse” badge: BATHING BABY

Question 1: “ ‘Describe the preparation for and the bathing of a baby.’ “The two following answers were selected, many of the others being equally good:—Answer 1:

“ ‘Have a cosy corner, out of a draught, and a screen if necessary. Beside a warm fire have a table, a stool, and baby’s clothes getting warmed; a tub or small bath, warm towels, hot and cold water, washcloths, cotton wool, saucer, a. little soap, and bath thermometer. Place baby on knee and remove nightgown with as little movement as possible. Wrap baby in towel and commence to wash his eyes. Wash from inside to outside with a little piece of cotton wool dipped in a isaucer of warm water. Make a lather of soap, and wash baby’s head. Rinse '.with warm, water and dry thoroughly. iNext wash baby’s ears, neck,, and face, ■‘using no soap, or a very little. Dry thoroughly. Place the baby on the table on the warm towel, and soap body all over. Put baby in bath, which from a temperature of 102 deg has cooled down to 98deg. and wash thoroughly, taking care to wash between the fingers and toes. Before removing him from the bath pour tepid, water over him, and then dry thoroughly and quickly with a dabbing movement, taking care to dry all the creases. Dress baby. Remember to put on the chamber before putting him in his cot.’ Answer 2:

“ ‘First choos.e the cosiest corner in the room, seeing that it is free from draughts. See that you have everything ready, so that baby’s bath will not be delayed, and therefore he will, not catch cold. If using a tin bath first put cold water in and then hot water, because tin retains the heat and baby might burn his little feet or hands, which are so tender. The water should be tested by dipping in the point of ,the elbow. Baby should be picked up and undressed, and rolled in a large towel on the table beside the bath. Begin by washing the baby’s face.’ It should be very carefully washed. The eyes should be washed from within out. The ears should be very carefully washed. Care must be taken that no soap is left, on baby’s skin. The hair is next washed, soap being' rubbed /on. The nurse should then take the baby and sit down on a low chair beside the bath, and, holding baby so that her head is over the bath, carefully rinse out all the soap. The head is then well dried by gently rubbing with a soft towel. Baby is then soaped all over with the hands, special care being taken to wash in all the wrinkles. Baby is then put into the bath, and carefully supported while the soap is all washed off. Baby should enjoy her bath, but she shouldnot be let to come to look on it as a playtime; no time should be lost during the bathing. Before she is taken out of the bath she should be given a Cold rinse. This should be given very gradually—at first just slightly colder than the bath itself, but gradually becoming quite cold. This rinse closes the pores, hardens the baby and brings the blood to the surface. Baby should then be wrapped in a towel and quickly dried and dressed.’ BABY’S SLEEPING PLACE Question 2: “ ‘Where should a baby sleep, day and night?’ Answer 1:

“If possible, baby should sleep outside in the fresh air and sunshine, but you must see that he is free from draughts. If there are draughts, use screens. On a veranda is a very good place—he can sleep' there both day and night. If this is not possible, he must sleep in a room by himself, free from draughts, with a current of fresh air passing through it. The worst place for a baby to sleep is in his mother’s bed, for there he is breathing in foul air, and he is liable to be smothered. If a baby must sleep in the same room as his mother, his bed should be on the opposite side to his mother’s. There should be a current of fresh air flowing between the two beds.’ Answer-2:

Baby should at all times have plenty of fresh air. 7 It is one of the most important things. Th© best place for her to sleep is on a sheltered veranda. There, as long as it is sheltered and baby is well wrapped up she should be able to sleep all the year round. Th© spot chosen should be as Quiet as possible, but baby should be trained to sleep through ordinary every-day noises. About the Worst place a baby could sleep would be in the kitchen, where the rest of th© family lived. At night a baby should sleep in a'.room by herself, quite close at hand to the mother or nurse, but in a separate room if possible. The cradle should be well out of draughts, but the room should be well ventilated, with as many open windows' as possible. If there are unavoidable draughts, arrange screens round the cradle,’ but there must be plenty of free flowing air. Th© very worst place a baby could sleep is in bed" with- her mother It is very bad for th© baby, as she has little or no fresh air, is cramped, and there is a great chance of her being suffocated, and it is bad for the mother

as her sleep is probably broken.’ “From the foregoing it may be seen that, apart from the question of the tuition given, the girls have made an intelligent study of ‘babycraft.’ The Executive of the Plunket Society feels that the instruction of Girl Guides and schoolgirls generally on matters affecting their health and the welfare of little children is a most important educative duty, and will endeavour, whereever possible, to foster this branch of the work.”