OUR BABIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3869, 8 May 1928, Page 68

OUR BABIES.

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Hygeia.

Pabllttisd tinder the auspices af the Heys I New Zealand Ssclsty far ths Health M Wemen and Children (Plunket Ssclety). “It is wiser to put up a fence at the top st a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bettam.”

PLUNKET NURSES. ETC.. DUNEDIN BRANCH. NURSES SEBVICIfS FREE. Nurses O’Shea (telephone 23-348), Isbister (telephone 10-866), Thomson, Scott, and Ewart (telephone 10-216), and Mathieson (telephone 23-020) Society# Roons: Jamiesons Buildings 6 Lower Stuart street (telephone 10-216). Office hours daily from 2 to 4 p.m (except Saturday and Sunday: and 10 a.tn to noon on Tuesdays, Thursday* and Fridays; 315 King Edward street South Dunedin, 2 to 4 p.m. daily (except Saturday and Sunday), and 10 a.na to noon on Fridays; also 125 Highgate- Roslyn— Mon day and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.; Parkhill avenue. Mornington. Wednesdays. 2 to 4 p.m.; Kelsey-Yaralla Kindergarten. Monday and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.; and at 99 Musselburgh Rise, Wednesdays. 2 to 4 p.m. Out-stations: Baptist Church, Gordon road; Mosgiel, Tuesday afternoons from 3 to 4 o’clock; Presbyterian Church Hall. Outram, alternate Fridays, 2 to 4 p.m.; Municipal Buildings, Port Chalmers, Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 4 o’clock; also Hall. Macandrew’s Bay, Fridays. 2 to 4 p.m. Secretary, Miss G. Hoddinott, Jamie son’s Buildings. Stuart street (telephone 10-216). Karitane-Harris Baby Hospital, Anderson’s Bay (telephone 22-985). Matron, Miss Hitchcock. Demonstrations given on request every Wednesday afternoon from 2.30 by Plunket - Nurse* and Karitane Baby Nurses. Visiting hours: 2 to 4 p.m.. Wednesday Frida’ and Sunday. MALNUTRITION. It is unfortunately true that slight degrees of malnutrition pass unnoticed in very many little children. Nobody thinks very much about the children who are simply a bit “ below par.” It is most important’ that parents and others should know the signs indicating that a child is malnourished, and should be alert to seek advice and apply it at once. Signs of Malnutrition. An under-nourished child is usually below the standard weight for his age and height. He does not gain in weight as he should, and is more or less soft and flabby. His appetite is usually poor or erratic, and_ he is “ finicky ” about his food, habitually refusing certain articles of diet —usually some of those necessary for good health—milk or vegetables, for instance. He gets tired easily, is inclined to be listless, has dark rings under his eyes, and stands badly. He is more or less fretful and nervous, and “ whiney ” without apparent cause. He lacks-that indefinable air of'joyous elasticity and buoyancy which is characteristic of the perfectly healthy small child. It cannot be over-emphasised that the child who drifts along through the preschool period in this condition enters the rough-and-tumble and the competition of school life handicapped. Unless something is done to remove the causes of his poor condition the chances are that he will emerge from school days still handicapped for the battle of adult life. Is your child " below par ? " If so, parents should ask themselves these questions:— What are the child’s food habits? Does he eat good, wholesome food suitable for his age? Does he “chew” it properly? Does he have three good meals a. day only, or does he have sweeties and pieces between meals? Are meal times cheerful, happy times? ' ■ What arc his habits generally? Are the bowels regular or is he constipated? Does he have regular rest and sleep. Is proper cleanliness- of body and teeth observed ? Does he yet over-fatigued? Are his activities too stimulating and too continuous? Does he have to walk beyond his powers? Is he happy—“blithe, bonny, good, and gay” ?': Is the home atmosphere such that personality as well as body may develop freely? Has he any physical defects —decayed teeth, adenoids, ear or eye troubles, etc.? Earnest examination of the child’s habits and environment rarely fails to reveal the cause or causes of malnutrition. Regular periodical inspection by a trained person is the greatest possible help and protection to the health of the pre-school child. Prevention is infinitely better than cure. Once again, the Plunket nurses are qualified td’ supervise the progress of the children up to school age. They are keenly interested in the “ex-babies”; but the final responsibility belongs to the parents. Mothers! do not think that because baby’s “ baby-daye ” are past there is no place at “the Rooms.” There is a place and a welcome.