MOTHER CRAFT

Te Ao Hou, Winter 1954, Page 59

Women's World MOTHER CRAFT by Keritahu By Mothercraft we simply mean the science of good mothering, or in other words, the intelligent and skilled care of infants and young children. The subject is of vital importance from a national point of view, because unless young women come to marriage and motherhood equipped with a knowledge of the essential needs of their families, they cannot be expected to rear healthy and happy children. A knowledge of mothercraft does not come by instinct—it must be learnt like any other “craft”—and no girl or boy should regard their education as completed unless they have learnt something of the management of a home, and of the principles of child care. The expectant mother: A mother's responsibility to her baby begins long before it is born, and therefore directly she knows she is going to have a baby, she should consult her doctor, who will supervise her health during pregnancy, or she should consult the public health nurse and attend an ante-natal clinic. The object of this medical and nursing supervision, which is commonly known as ante-natal care, is to safeguard the health of the mother, in order to promote a normal confinement, and to ensure that the baby will be in good physical condition when born. As the coming baby is nourished by his mother's blood, and is dependent on her for all he requires for growth and development, it is essential that particular attention be paid during pregnancy to many details which will influence the mother's health and that of her baby. The most important of these are as follows:— Hygiene: Fresh air is a great purifier and cleanser, and if ventilation and cleanliness are atended to, health is safeguarded. Keep your house surroundings and your rooms scupulously clean and free from rubbish, which harbours dirt and makes cleaning difficult. The bed and the bedding must be fresh and sweet, and blankets and covering ought to be washed regularly. It is also advisable to wash the cover of the mattress, have the stuffing put out in the sun, and the mattress remade. The expectant mother must have plenty of cool fresh air day and night. Not only should the rooms be kept freely ventilated by having the windows wide open, but a current of air should be maintained across the bedroom by means of an open window and a chimney or a door, but the mother should keep out of draughts. It is a very bad habit in some homes to have

the windows tightly closed while the family sleeps. Remember, a healthy mother means a healthy baby, and the following instructions show how an expectant mother may keep well. Have a moderate amount of exercise, such as walking and gardening every day, and spend as much time as you can out in the sunshine. Have a warm bath at least twice a week, and put on dry, clean clothing. Keep your clothing smelling sweet and fresh. Medical Care: Report to doctor or public health nurse not later than the fifth month. Take a bottle with a specimen of urine, to be tested every visit to make sure there is nothing wrong. It is advisable that every Maori mother should enter a maternity hospital for at least 7 days, not only to receive skilled attention, but also to have a good rest from the family at home. Besides, it is dangerous to have a baby at home without a doctor or a nurse. All mothers are encouraged to go into hospital. At least 8 hours' sleep is needed every night. When sewing or reading, sit with feet up, as this tends to prevent varicose veins and sore feet. Do not do any hard work or lift heavy weights, such as tubs of washing, water or milk buckets. A dentist should be consulted early in pregnancy, so that decayed teeth may receive attention. The teeth should be well brushed after meals. Diet while you are expecting your baby. The following rules should be observed:— Have not more than 3 meals a day. Do not overeat. Drink 3 cups of milk every day—whole milk, skimmed milk, milk powder, milk and cocoa. Eat ¼lb. liver once a week. Eat ¼lb. fish once a week. Shell-fish is good for you. Eat ¼lb. lean meat 5 times a week if fish is not easily obtained. Eat one egg a day. Eat a little cheese and butter each day. Eat plenty of green vegetables—puha, watercress, cabbage, spinach, silver beet. Some green vegetables should be eaten raw each day. Eat also potatoes, kumaras, pumpkin and other vegetables. Cook potatoes in their skins. Eat raw fruit each day. The best fruits to eat are oranges, New Zealand grapefruit, black currants, tomatoes and lemons, and if possible an apple a day as well. Do not take any strong drink or smoke, if you are to breast-feed your baby. Drink plenty of water between meals—at least 6 cups a day. This keeps the bowels and kidneys in good working order. Oatmeal, wholemeal bread and wholemeal