OUR BABIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 7 (Supplement)

OUR BABIES

THE APPROACH OF WINTER COLDS AND BRONCHITIS The first cold snap reminds us that winter is at hand, and that it is once more seasonable to consider how best to fortify' and protect the children from untoward effects associated with the change of season. Summer used to be tho dangerous season for babies and young children, here as in other countries; but serious diarrhoea is now very rare indeed, because the mothers of New Zealand have learnt so well how to safeguard their babies during hot weather. Winter now presents the greater danger. Investigation into the causes of death amongst babies under Plunket supervision shows bronchitis and pneumonia—causing winter deaths—to bo tho most serious factor. The Danger of the Common Cold

The trouble is that we accept the common cold as inevitable, and do not realise that it is the usual precursor of bronchitis and pneumonia, and that it so lowers resistance that the baby readily- falls a victim to even a mild infection.

Do not let a cold go on indefinitely without getting medical advice. Especially if there is a chesty cough or any' difficulty in breathing, if the child remains feverish or drowsy, or if there aro any signs of car trouble send for a doctor without delay. Don’t forget that a cold ‘‘may be compared to a camp fire in dry weather—slight changes may produce disastrous results.” Many serious illnesses, njany perhaps fatal cases of pneumonia or bronchitis, developing out of “common’’ colds, could bo prevented if taken in time, the child being placed under proper medical care in the early stages of the trouble. Resistance to Disease If baby has been rendered really hardy and strong by good feeding and exercise and sensible clothing, etc., there is comparatively little to fear from infections in winter or at any other time. When colds, coughs, and influenza arc the order of the day, one notices specially the very striking difference in resistance between the hardy' baby and the coddled child. Start preventive measures now! The great, thing is to increase the child’s resistance- The following arc good Preventive Measures Keep the house well ventilated, and have the children out of doors as much as ever the weather permits. Make use of every odd half-hour of sunshine. Do not let baby’ sleep in the kitchen. Dress the children according to the temperature of the day’, not the sca-

son. Constant overclothing is very weakening and lowers tho resistance.

bee that the children, have long, unbroken sleep at night, and a daytime sleep.

Give a cool sponge-down and a brisk, vigorous rub after the bath every morning.

When lifting from a warm bed after sleep protect the children from sudden chilling. Colds are infectious. Keep children away from anyone who has a cold or other respiratory trouble. Do not allow indiscriminate kissing and fondling. 'lVeatinent If the child catches a cold, especially if he io feverish, rei mber the following simple suggestions:— The child’s main need is for fluid—warm boiled water or diluted fruit juico. Ho needs less food and more water than usual. Consequently do not press him to take all his ordinary | food if ho is disinclined for it. If' there is any digestive upset dilute the I baby’s milk mixture with a few* ounces extra water, and give the older child only light diet. Drinks of water or fruit juice shoul be given frequently between meal times. The giving of sufficient fluid is an important point, and one which is often neglected, because the child is very apt to refuse drinks, probably because the throat is sore. If this is tho case every possible means of inducing the child to drink must be resorted to. If coaxing and fail, strong measures may be necessary for the child’s own good. Never mind if the small patient does a partial starve for a few days, so long as you get him to take fluids. He will be all the better without solid food, but the body is much hampered in its fight against the hostile germs if it is not supplied will, plenty of water.

Keep the bowels regularly and well opened. Keep the nostrils clear. Raise the head and shoulders a little higher than usual in the cot if breathing seems easier this way. Give a good warm bath to open the pores of the skin. Cool down the bath with cold water before taking the child out (to close the pores), and keep him warm or in bed. A warm bath should be given daily during the cold, but the watm water should be cooled down at the conclusion of the bath. Then rub the chest and trunk over with warm olive oil. The child should, of course, be kept wa.xi and out of draughts. The idea of bathing during a cold is perhaps a little unconventional, for one commonly finds that babies or small children have not been bathed for days during the course of a severe cold. One has only to think how important a part the ekin plays in ridding the body of impurities to realise that it is doubly necessary to keep the skin active and cleansed during a time when poisons of a cold aro circulating in the body. While the temperature is actually raised above normal it may be as well to sponge the child all over in bed, or on tho lap in front of tho fire, instead of actually bathing; but unless this procedure can be carried out quickly and deftly there is really more risk of exposure and chilling than there is from a quick full bath ’given in a cosy, warm corner of the room- In any case tho child should be tucked up in a previously warmed bed directly after bath or sponge. Convalescence (During convalescence be specially careful to guard the crawling and toddling baby from chilling. It is well to keep the crawling baby off the floor for a few days. Remember that fresh air and sunshine aro the best germ-killers known. Don’t keep children with colds cooped up in stuffy rooms. Let them be outside so long as they are kept warm and protected from cold winds. When they must be indoors, see that the room is well ventilated.