MOTHER’S PROBLEMS

Grey River Argus, 24 June 1925, Page 8

MOTHER’S PROBLEMS

CHILDISH HABITS WHICH NEED CHECKING. Often a young mother, referring to her baby, will say: “He will 'grow out’ of that.’’ The baby is expected to “grow out of” things which are part of his character and constitution —which is an impossibility. Baby will “grow out of” putting everything he secs into his mouth in order to test it. He will not “grow out of” a habit of biting his nails if he is allowed to form it. He has to be broken of that habit as early as possible. Baby will probably “grow out of” disturbing the household by an attack of night terrors; but if these are due to mental or nervous disturbances he will not. “grow nut of” the consequences of having been wrongly treat ed for these nightmares. Baby will “grow out of” the use of sloppy foods; but he will not grow out of” the digestive and dental troubles caused by his not having been taught to eat his crusts and to chew his food properly when first learning to eat solid food.

Baby will “grow out of” sleeping for three or four hours during the day; but he will not “grow out of” "needing at least nine hours’ sleep out of the 24 till he is grown up. Baby will not, in fact, “grow out of” any of his defects his illnesses or his faults. If, when he first begins to talk he stammers or stutters, the habit must be cured by careful training and treatment. He will not “grow out of” it. If he cries with temper whenever his will is crossed or throws himself into paroxysms of rage on the smallest, provocation, while he may, in one sense, “grow out of” the outward manifestations, he will not “grow outof” the mental defect or fault of character that causes these disturbances, but will suffer all his life from lack of proper training and treatment. And he will not “grow out of” any eye or ear trouble wheih shows itself in babyhood, such as short sight, ’.squint and earache. These must have propei- attention at the time, for it is in infancy and early childhood that defects of eye and ear can be remedied. Afterwards it is generally ■too late.—The Daily Mail.