“SAVE THE BABIES” WEEK.

Western Star, 2 November 1917, Page 3

“SAVE THE BABIES” WEEK.

OCT. 28 TO NOV. 2, 1917

TO THE FATHERS OF NEW ZEALAND. [Adapted from a. message sent out during the recent American Baby Week campaign.] Tradition has, in the past, left all the care of the baby to the mother. The conditions of our present-day society require that, in addition to providing food, shelter, and other material things, the father must share with the mother the responsibility for the health of his baby. The following are some of the things that he should understand or do:

He should understand the importance of prospective mothers having good care and advice at as early a period as possible so as to ensure the health of the mother and protect the coming baby. He should know that fresh air, daily outdoor exercise, and adequate rest and sleep are of paramount importance for the mother’s, health and strength, both before and after the birth of her child, and that the health of the mother is the health of the baby.

He should see that the mother has adequate care during and after the birth of the baby, so that the mother’s health may be continued or restored as quickly as possible, both for her own sake and that she may be able to give proper care to the baby. He should know the importance of the mother nursing her baby. Breastfed babies have a much greater chance of living and becoming strong, healthy children than have bottle-fed babies. This is so important that anything that would alter or lessen the mother’s milk supply, such as overwork, excitement, shock, or worry, should be avoided.

If, after every effort is made, the pother's milk supply is not adequate, the father should know that clean, fresh cows’ milk properly modified to suit a baby is the best substitute, and should see that the,{ baby gets such milk and that the mother has the advice of the doctor or Plunket Nurse on its preparation. He should know that nearly onethird of all infant deaths occur as the result of digestive disturbance brought on chiefly by faulty feeding. He should know that soothing syrups are dangerous, that dummies are both needless and injurious, that the baby needs rest and regular hours of sleeping, and should not be kept' up late nor handled too much. He should know the 1 importance of good surroundings to: the baby. • The baby needs fresh air and sunlight as much as any plant. Like a plant, the baby will droop and die if kept in a dark, close room, deprived of Nature’s best health tonics'—fresh air and .sunlight.

Cleanliness in and about the home is even more important to the baby than to the adult. Baby can not protect itself against dust, dirt, and! flies. Flies bred in the Open garbage tin or in the rubbish heap in the yard may carry germs to the baby’s mouth or milk, and cause diarrhoea or other diseases.

Lastly, every father should know of and take an active part in promoting conditions in our city which will give every baby a better chance.