OUR BABIES

Patea Mail, 5 October 1938, Page 4

OUR BABIES

BY HYGBIA

Publislicd under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children

(Plunkct Society)

“It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to main tain an ambulance at the bottom.” BEFORE BABY C’JMES CARE OF THE TEETH Every .expectant 1 another should consult her dentist, as early as possible, in pregnancy, “Decay of the teeth often occurs during pregnancy, and it is therefore important to take particular care of them at this time. Decayed teeth arc sapic, and will effect the health of the baby as well as tillc health of the mother, and they mny cause septic infection during labour and tihto ly-ing-in period. Some of the causes of dental decay are faulty diet and neglect of dental hygiene. It is necessary to hfivo a healthy mouth in order to keep a healthy body.” T,he diet for the expectant mother recently published in this columin, if followed, should build and nourish healthy teeth. The teeth; should be carefully examined and repaired, and if necessary extractions should be made. Eminent authorities now agree that it is better to have decayed teeth extracted than risk infection from their septic condition. There may be septic trouble at the .roots of teeth of which (ho mother is unaware, and a visit to the dentist may bo necessary to disclose this fact.

“Dechy of the teeth, is largely due to the accumulation of soft food in the small crevices of the teeth. Since clean teeth seldom decay it is important to wash (he mouth after every meal, and to brush the teeth with cold water and a little dentifrice before going to bed and again in the morning. Take special care to brush all the surfaces of the teeth, especially the back ones. All food and debris must 1 be removed from (the teeth. “Do not hesitate to have your teeth .attended Ho by a denist during pregnancy. There is an old-standing prejudice against dental interference during this period, which is not justified, as only very .extensive! dental operations are contra-indicated. If you or your denist are in any doubt, consult your own medical adviser.” “Suggestions to Expectant Mothers.” CLOTHING Ail .clothing should be loose, warm, and comfortable, the weight suspended from, the shoulders. It is better not to wear corsets but if the expectant .mother has been accustoniicd to wearing them, and is unable to do without tlhem, she should see that they arc not too light. “Any -constriction of the waist must be avoided, as it interferes with the circulation of the blood to the lower part of the body, thus increasing the risk of varicose veins in the legs.” For the same reason garters should bo avoided, and suspenders worn instead. Shoes should bo well-fitting; it is impossible to take sufficient walking exor-ic-iss if the feet are cramped. High heels should not be worn, ns they interfere with the balance of the body; and the small heel is a source of danger, being liable to cause the; wearer to trip and fall. EDUCATION OF PROSPECTIVE PARENTS The following extract from , “The Ideal Management of Pregnancy,” by Cyril V. Pink, tells us why this education in parentcraft Is so essential. Every mother knows how important it is to provide her baby with the right food in his first few years and a fresh, clean nursery .to play in. Without the right conditions she knows ho would become peevish, and perhaps ill. These things are equally important in the nine months previous to birth, for though the mother’s blood never mixes with the ibaby ’s they are in the most in tin mate confab in the afterbirth, and There is a continual interchange of oxygen, nutriment, ami waste products between them. Alcohol, for instance, readily passes from the maternal blood tio the baby’s so that when a pregnant, woman drinks a glass of wine the baby gets his dose of alcohol too, exactly as ho would a year later if a small quantity were put in his bottle. On the other hand, the extra health; and vigour provided by plenty of fresh air and exercise will be shared by tji-e baby also. Certainly his mother cannot see the change at the time, but those of us who do see a muivbf.r of babies arrive in the world do notate that those whose mothers have taken the trouble to order their lives according to the best information at present available,_ are more vigorous and have a better resistance to disease than the others. If this knowledge of increased responsibilities in earliest motherhood seems something of ft burden to yon, remember the positive fact that the knowledge gives you. the opportunity to do much more for the baby and at the same time to minimis.- your risk of the grave anxiety of illness in his daily years—to prevent rather than to cure.

“:At the moment when pregnancy begins n jewel is given to you that a multi-millionaire cannot buy. Tom* part is to fashion five jewel-case—a casket for a human being. With this thought in your mind you Cannot fad Lo remember that nothing but the bem workmanship is good enough so that your casket may be ns strong ns yon can possibly makd it.” Evovv expectant mo'hof should seek pre-natal care, and if; is the duty of tire husband to insist that hes wife should avail herself of sack care. 11. is through the .education of the future parents that the health of the race -will be safeguarded and maintained.