THE MORNING DIP.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 8, 20 February 1892, Page 186

THE MORNING DIP.

Many mothers dread the hour for the baby’s bath. The dear little babies, also, seem to regard it as the hour of torture. The soul piercing shrieks of the infant, and the long drawn sighs of the mother, indicate it to be anything but the happy time it should be. There is a right and a wrong way, and it is the wrong way which tires the mother and against which the baby rebels. The bath should be given as nearly as possible at the same time each day, the hour most convenient to the mother. Most mothers prefer an hour early in the forenoon, though a bath before putting the wee one in bed is thought by some to court sleep for the wakeful ones, but at whatever hour, let things be in readiness, plenty of warm water with soft linen wash-cloth or sponge, soft warm towels and the basket with all its equipments, also all the little garments to be worn. Then, in the very warmest corner of a thoroughly-heated room, mother and babe may have a happy time. The atmosphere and water should both be sufficiently warm so that the little hands will not turn purple, for cold often causes the screaming. Never trust the hand to decide the proper heat of the water but use a thermometer. The temperature of the water should not exceed ninety degrees, but it should not be allowed to cool for the baby would become chilled. I lather, have hot water near by, to add to the bath. It is not advisable to use soap in the bath, as the child’s skin is oily and should be preserved so. < Iccasionally Castile soap may be used, but not as a rule. There is also a happy medium between using too much powder and not enough. All mothers must decide upon that, for the skin of some infants will not admit of a great deal of powder while others chafe without it. It is a mistake to take a long time for the bath, for before all the little garments are on and pinned in place the bather is apt to be very tired, ready to be fed and laid in the cradle for a long nap. Great pains must be taken to pin the bands smoothly and just tight enough. If too loose they will get out of place, and if too tight they will cause discomfort An old nurse gives as her rule, to pin all bands over two fingers, which is sufficiently tight to keep them in place and at the same time insures ‘growing room.’ The mother will learn the best way to turn the little one in adjusting the clothing without causing discomfort. A commendable change has taken place in the clothing of infants within the last few years, ami the garments now in use are much more sensible, fashioned with an idea for comfort. ‘ Now, that the bath is over, if too long a time has not been taken for it, perhaps the baby will be just in a mood for a visit, and lazily stretched on the mother’s lap, with feet undone and held towards the fire, may stietch and grow. The mother can enjoy this • visit,’ too for she is through with her task with a feeling far removed from exhaustion. F.W.T.