BABIES’ CLOTHES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 148, 8 June 1932, Page 4

BABIES’ CLOTHES

SOME MODERN PROBLEMS. How sensibly the little babies are clothed nowadays. A quarter of a century ago things were different. Then the helpless little creature was trussed up like a mummy, its long flannel petticoat or barrio turned up over its feet and doubly safety-pinned, till its tiny toes were held firmly and very little movement allowed. Then there were fancy bonnets for tiny babies which had a crimped, scratching frill of lace and ribbon all round inside tho edge. No wonder the babies cried, for the starchy frills must have been hard to bear.

Years ago it used to bo quite a common thing to see a mother carrying a young baby in her arms, tho infant looking like a screwcd-up packet of sweets in its tightly wound shawl which came far above the head, for no one thought then of the benefits oh fresh air. No wonder the saying, “I’ve buried seven” was not considered unusual.

Now can bo seen proud young mothers, wheeling pretty perambulators which are softly springy, and peeping forth is the bonny baby, its face usually well out of the covers how-over young it may be. Tho babies here are almost without exception fresh and healthy looking—a credit to the mother and to the wonderful common sense broadcast through New Zealand by Sir Truby King and his Plunket Society.

Now there remain still a few great problems for scientists to solvo to help tho mothers even more. Partly, no doubt, due to tho strain of overworked mothers, there are far too many bottlefed babies in New Zealand and the tragedy and puzzle of the still-born baby still remains unconquercd.