OUR BABIES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20219, 1 February 1934, Page 14

OUR BABIES.

By

HYGEIA.

Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (FlunJcet Society). “ It is wiser to put up a Pence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.” Malnutrition. It is unfortunately true that alight degrees or malnutrition pass unnoticed in many little children, isooouy tmnks very much about tile children who are simply, a bit *• below par.” it is most important tnat parents and others should Know the signs indicating tnat a child is inainourisned and should be alert to s'eeK advice ana apply it at once. An undernourished child is usually below the standard weight for his age ana height. He does not gain in weignt as he snould and is moie or less soft and flabby. His appetite is usually poor or erratic, and he is “ finicky ” about his food, liibitually refusing certain articles of diet; usually sonve 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. Hie 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 pre-school period in this condition enters the rough-and-tumble and the competition of school lifie 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? Docs he eat good wholesonve food suitable for his age? Docs he “chew” it properly? Does he have three good meals a day only, or does he have sweeties or pieces in between nveals? Are meal times cheerful, happy times? What are liis habits generally? Are the bowels regular, or is he constipated? Does he have regular hours of rest and sleep? Is proper cleanliness of body and teeth observed? Does he get over-fatigued? Are his activities too stimulating and too continuous? Does he have to walk beyond his powers? Is he happy—“ blithe, bonnie, 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 we would remind you that the Plunket nurses are qualified to supervise the progress of the children up to school age. They are as interested in the “ex-baby” as the baby, but the final responsibility rests with the parthink that because baby’s “baby riavs ” are past that there is no need for supervision. There is a normal rate of development for this pre-school period, and skilled supervision and help are available for all who desire the best for the growing child. Do not let more than six months elapse before bringing tlie child for examination. By doing this a check may be kept on progress, slight departures from the normal may be noted in the early stages, and general advice may be given and discussed. Tf this rule wiere generally observed by parents all over the country there would be a<= many “beautiful runabouts ” as "beautiful babies,” ar >d we should not have that sadlv common “ falling off ’• in the second and third