OUR BABIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 18 (Supplement)

OUR BABIES

( By

Hygeia).

Published under 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 betThe following little article appeared recently in tin; Women’s iheiorai, from which \vu quoted a few weeks ago:— The Nervy Child. ’lhe cladle baby who “jumps out of his skin" at an unexpected nuis e is very familiar to the mot he is of the present generation. What can we do ■ .aieguard our children’s nerves so that, they may grow up calm minded and well balanced. There is a hygiene of the mind just as there is a hygiene of the body. ami. as our minds arc at least of equal, importance to our bodies, ami the two act and react on one another, both need study. Some babies may be said tn be born with a tendency Io “-.irviness, ” others are undoubtedly made “nervy” by unwise treatment. There is a night tright, for instance, which attacks a toddler who has never hoard stories of witches or burglars or growling Lears in dark dens —just a deep implanted instinct haiiOed .down from his forbears for whom the night necessarily held terrors; and there is a night fright which should never have been allowed at all. if the grown-ups around had been more careful of their tongues and had used a little more imagination. Peaceful Growth. A new-born baby is. of course, a mass of potentialities; it is up to us to encourage or deflect those whic-i will help or harm them. We want to do everything possible to strengthen and steady the nervous system so that it may grow ami develop in peace. We can do this first ami foremost by providing the right atmosphere; secom* ly. by making as much use of fresh air and unbroken sleep as we can; and thirdly, by a regular routine, forming a rhythm in which there are f<*w breaks or changes, imposing consequent strain and need of adjustment. Baby breathes the “atmosphere’’ of his home. .His ‘ ‘ awareness ” exists long before he has any power of expression. A nervous or irritable mother or nurse will affect the stability of her child’s temperament- It isn't easy in the rush of life, with all the many claims on time ami strength, to keep an even course; but at least, let us recognise the responsibility wo have of putting, as it were, a protective envelope of peaceful ways and quiet tones round the cradle of the rapidly growing infant. Fresh Air. .If baby can sleep out in the garden it is better for him than being pushed to the shops. But how- can baby be left alone? It is undoubtedly a problem. but possibly might be solved more readily if the ideal of quiet, sta-