OUR BABIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17833, 29 April 1926, Page 13

OUR BABIES.

By

HYGEIA.

Published tinder the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and children (Plunket Society). “It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.” BABY’S CLOTHES. The first thing to remember when clothing baby is, always clothe him according to the temperature of the day, not according to the date on the calendar. The commonest fault of baby clothing is that it is too thick, heavy, and hampering, thus preventing free kicking and exercising, and also giving rise to sweating and irritation of the skm, which, as time goes on, may lead to grave trouble in the form of eczema or other skin diseases. The lighter the clothing the better, provided it is warm enough; so wherever possible choose light, porous, fluffy flannel, or other woollen materials, and avoid all thick, closely-woven fabrics of any kind. Do not use flannelette! The risks of baby being burnt through wearing this very inflammable material are too great.

The best all-round material for baby’s petticoat, nightdress, or jacket is the cheapest flannel procurable. This is so on account of its being more porous and open in texture than the expensive flannels. It not only shrinks less, but is decidedly warmer, weight for weight, on account of the air imprisoned both in the meshes and between the successive layers. The best materials to use next to the skin are porous cellular-cotton or linen, or silk and wool. Pure wool worn next the skin is most irritating, even though the garment be of the finest, softest texture. Simple cotton crepe is a good material for baby’s dress. It washes well, looks fresh and dainty, and is not expensive. THE BINDER. There is a very common idea that the binder prevents rupture and he*lps to support the back and abdomen, but this is not so. The sole purpose of the binder should be to keep the cord dressing in place until the scar is healed. The effect of keeping the binder on beyond this time is to weaken the muscles of the abdomen and back, and so help to cause, rupture, not prevent it. The use of the binder also restricts deep breathing, even if lightly applied, and thus weakens the whole system. During the first two weeks when a binder is necessary, use a soft, porous bandage. 4in to sin wide, made of butter muslin or any light, open bandaging material, which is entirely nonirritating Such material is in every way preferable, to a flannel bandage Again, do not use flannelette! The binder should be changed once a day when the cord is dressed. THE SINGLET. To prevent any irritation, and to allow for a free circulation of air next the skin, use a cellular cotton material or silk and wool, For the young baby this garment should be made with long sleeves. THE VEST. Over this cellular singlet put a soft, knitted Woollen vest. It is wise to shrink the wool before knitting -it up. Fill a basin .with cold water, immerse the skeins of wool, then hang them

up dripping. (Do not squeeze the water out of the wool before hanging up to dry.) This vest need not have sleeves. THE NAPKIN. The napkin, though used as a protection to baby’s clothing, is one of the most important of his garments. If put on clumsily and made too bulky, it hampers free exercise, and is liable to cause bandy legs. To prevent this only one thickness should be pinned up between the legs. Great care should be taken to prevent a baby becoming chilled or uncomfortable through lying long in a wet napkin. Do not use a waterproof napkin; they act as poultices. The best material for the napkins is a soft towelling. If the buttocks are sore, place a soft square of cotton or linen on the folded napkin, so that the towellinig does not touch the skin on the inflamed area. THE PETTICOAT. It is necessary that the baby wear one warm flannel garment, even on the hottest of days. The petticoat should be made simply—no constricting bands or bodice—and may fasten either down the back or one shoulder. It should be about 22$in long. Eleven yards of (so-called) unshrinkable flannel about 30in wide is sufficient to make three petticoats, three nightgowns and three jackets. These should last baby for a year. FROCK. As already mentioned, the most serviceable material for baby’s frock is ordinary white cotton crepe. It should be made just long enough to cover the feet. (Do not starch the frock stiffly, as a chilly gap is thus formed between the frock and the petticoat.) Long clothes are gradually going out of fashion for the young baby. They restrict movement of the lower limbs, and are a sheer waste of material. On cold days baby may wear a flannel or woollen jacket over his frock. Bootees may be made from odds and ends of flannel left over from the making of his other garments. THE NIGHTGOWN. Like the petticoat and the jacket, this garment should also be made of flannel—never of flannelette. Alany babies are burned to death annually owing to flannelette catching fire. It should be made to come about four inches below the baby’s toes. To quote from “Feeding and Care of Baby” (Sir F. Truby King) : “All clothing must be loose, nothing

to restrict free play of chest and abdomen. Enlarge or discard garments before they become in the least degree too small. The sipglet should be amply long to pin to the napkin, so that a chilly space is not left between. . . . Mothers spoil their babies by tying tapes round them, preventing full expansion of the chest and abdomen. The hand placed between body and clothing should feel nothing whatever in the way of constricting bands. If such can be felt, the system of clothing is radically wrong. One sometimes finds babies trussed up like chickens prepared for roasting!”