Absolute Essentials.

Otago Witness, Issue 2862, 20 January 1909, Page 74

Absolute Essentials.

FRESH AIR. — A current of pure freah air day and night is absolutely essential. Keep the baby in the open air Ad much as possible. When in the house let th» room (whether bedroom or sitting room) have- an ample current of pure cool outside air flowing through it all the time. Keep baby out of the direct lino of draught, but don't be frightened of the air being cold. Pure cold air i& invigorating, and prevent* "catching cold." Warm, stuffy air ie poisonous and devitalising, and makes babiee liable to "catch cold" when taken out into the open. There is no danger, but actual safety, in free-flowing night air. The baby should ne\er sleep with it» mother, but in a separate cot. The newborn babe needs special care and attention. For the first few dayA it i« well to have a fire in the bedroom in cold weather ; but, unless for special reasons, this is not advisable after a week or 10 days Even when there is a. fire th« room mufit not be allowed to warm up much, but must have a very free flow of pure open air through it day and night. See that the baby is sufficiently covered with light, open, fluffy or porous woollen material, and if necessary uee a hot bottle ss well. CLOTHING.— Next the skin clothe with a flilk-ard-wool singlet to prevent irritation. Over thie i» placed the binder, which should be given up when th© cord i 6 healed, say at the end of 10 day* or a fortnight. Neither the back nor the abdomen necde any support whatever. A binder may cause rupture, and will not prevent it. On the other hand it prevents the belly walls from becoming strong, and always restricts deep healthy breathing, e\-en if lightly applied Common, cheap, porous flannel clothing aft'ords ample warmth without heaviness. FOOD. — .Suckling by th« mother is infinitely the best on all grounds, and should be continued, if possible, until several teeth ar« through. Where the mother's supply lune short she should do her best by ♦xerciae, attention to food, bowels, bathing, etc., to increase supply. Make up deficiency with cow's milk properly modified, and prepared to suit the baby — in other words, with "humanieed milk." Don't use patent foods, condensed nnlk. or mere diluted cow's milk and cane cugar. EXERCISE, REGULARITY, CLEANLINESS, and other essentials are dealt with in the "'summary of needs" given further on.