Hints on How to Always Keep the Baby Well and Strong.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue II, 9 January 1904, Page 62

Hints on How to Always Keep the Baby Well and Strong.

No more intelligent, helpful and valuable service has been rendered by the Department of Health of New York City than the widespread distribution of a little circular giving ten rules ‘‘to keep the baby well.” Direct, clear and admirably worded, these rules embody the newest and best experience of the experts on baby care. Bule No. 1 has been put at the head of the list, and ought to set at rest the silly notions of some present-day mothers that the new •'baby foods” or cow’s milk or anything else can equal mother’s milk for baby food. Physicians who advise mothers that it is better not to try to nurse the baby are either very ignorant or are preparing the way for a sick baby and a prolitable patientThese are the rules as prepared by President .Lederle and Dr. Biggs, the medical ollieer: 1. Nurse it: Nothing equals mother’s milk for a baby food. If you cannot nurse the baby use fresh milk which in hot weather has been boiled and prepared according to directions. (A circular of directions will be sent on application to the Department of Health.) Nurse the baby part of the time, if you cannot nurse it all the time. Do not give it condensed milk or any prepared baby food. 2. Feed or nurse it at regular intervals, not more than once in three hours after it is six weeks old. Don’t feed it simply because it cries. Decrease the amount of milk on very hot days. Too much food and too frequent feeding are among the commonest causes of sickness. 3. Bathe it daily: The glands of the skin carry off nearly as much poisonous matter as the bowels. They both nust be kept open in hot weather. Dry the skin well after bathing. 4. Air it: Out of door air is necessary. Keep the head shaded from the direct sunlight. In hot weather take the baby out early in the morning before nine o’clock, when it is cool, and again late in the afternoon and early evening, but not late at night. 5. Keep it cool: If it is bundled up too much in summer it will become overheated. The more nearly naked it is the better in extremely hot weather. 6. Keep it in a quiet place: A baby’s nerves are very sensitive. Continued noise sometimes causes sickness. 7. Give it water: Between feedings give water freely, especially in hot weather. Use only water that has been boiled. 8. Give no fruit to a baby less than a year old. In summer give no fruit to a baby less than two years old. Fruit kills many babies. 9. Give no solid food to a baby less than one year old. For the first year of life the food should be all milk. For the second year, chiefly milk. 10. Call your own doctor, or if you have none, in summer notify as once the Department of Health if the baby has diarrhoea, or is sick, and a doctor will be sent immediately.