SOMETHING ABOUT BABIES

scb'j^i-girl should have a circular cape of this material. Let no desire to have your children in fashion induce you to send them out with less clothing for the feet and legs than would be required to make a grown person com- fortable. The scanty cjothing of the lower limbs brings on repeated attacks of croup and various diseases of the throat and lungs. Not only is this true, hut the low temperature and imperfect circulation of the blood prevents the development of the parts exposed and brings on a race of fashionable, but spindle-shanked, children. Don't be deceived by tlie prevailing idea that cnildren of the extremely poor, that are half cared for, and of parents who habitually neglect them, are " healthy," Among this very class Death makes the heaviest harvest; and those who live are stunted by neglect, in spite of extra hardiness of constitution. Of course, to remove the ordinary clothing and substitute lighter for a party or a heated audience-room, is the height of imprudence. At the close of such an occasion, plenty of wraps should be provided against the exposure to the cold air when overheated. Young children had best wear nannel underclothing the whole year. When sud- den changes take place to colder weather, see tliat the children have addi- tional protection before they take cold.

A warm suit for the first short clothes of the baby during the first winter, is made up as follows : A knit flannel shirt, a loo;«e flannel bandage about the body, over the bowels (an excellent protection against summer com«

plaints, if continued through the next summer), a skirt of oi)era flannel with a muslin waist, with two rows of but- tons (four in each row), about an inch apart, one to support the skirt and the other for the diaper drawers, which are made of the same flannel as the skirt. The accompanying cuts will ex- plain clearly the manner in which these are made. This useful garment, either in flannel or muslin, may and should be worn from the time short clothes are put on until diapers are left off or even longer. The cut on left hand of page gives the form of garment, when taken off. The one on the right, the same garment when put on and buttoned up. The dress should be of the same material, and color as tlie skirt and drawers, and cut in Gabrielle style, with long sleeves. Over this wear a white dress of Nainsook, made plain or elaborate, as may be desired. In summer, this suit of skirt, drawers, and dress, made in Silicia, with the overdress of white, is a safe and cromfortable dress for a child, and not easily soiled.

A proper dress for an infant, the first time it is dressed, is a bandage of soft nannel, put on loosely about the body, a knit w(X)len shirt, a pinningf- blanket, maae of a piece of soft white flannel, three-fourths of a vara square, and taken up about one-fourth of a yard at the top by a single box- pleat, three inches wide, and cauglit together on the wrong side for about three inches from the toj). On each side of the box-pleat make a small pleat, to be let out as tlie infant grows. The flannel should be bound with silk binding before pleating, pinned on with safetv pins next the flannel shirt, a waist with arm-noles but no sleeves, buttoned t>ehind with a small flat but- ton, and having on the bottom one button in front, one on each side, one in <'enter of back, and one an inch and a half on each side of the last-named. The skirt is fastened to these buttons. The three buttons behind serve this purpose. Wlien ciiild i.s small, each end is carried past the center button to the ones an inch and a half beyond it, but as the clnld grows and needs more room, the ends are brought together at the centt^r button. The skirt is made of flannel, seven-eighths of a yard long. The dress, which should be about one yard long, may be made of any white material. Add to this a pair of soft knit socks, and the dress is complete. A modest wardrobe should com« prise: two knit shirts, three pinning blankets, four bandages of different

550 SOMETHING ABOUT BABIES.

sizes, three flannel skirts, three waists, six muslin slips, six dresses of differ- ent patterns but about the same in regard to warmth, or better, of same material, checked or striped goods, and differently trimmed, two finer dresses, which may be made a little longer for style, though the weight is objection- able as a burden to the child, two pairs of short socks, and as the child frows older, two pairs of Ifnit boots, and two dozen diapers (cotton are best, aying more ^absorbing capacity than linenV one yard long, and for the first, about five-eighths of a yard wide. Fold the inside one once, end to end, then again from comer to corner ; the outside, fold once from end to end, and pin one side with safety pins to the flannel band, allowing it to hang down to protect the legs, wrien short clothes are put on, fold the outside

diaper as directed above, and use one of lighter ma- terial, or an old thin one, for the inside. Fold the latter, end to end once, and then once more in the same direction. The outside one is now in three-cor- nered shape ; lay it down with ^int toward you, lay the other over it, as represented in diagram, and they are ready to put on. f^or night use, wear a bandage, a pinning blanket, and a flannel ni^ht dress, made with sleeves long enough to gather in with a gathering-string over the hands. Of course, no garment should be worn at night that has oeen worn during- the day.

AUNT EVA'S way.

This is the idea to start with — that we are dealing with liUk people. To- be sure they are fearfully and wonderfully made, but only in the same sense as their parents. As many of these same parents do not understand tlie first principles of caring for themselves, we are obliged to begin at the be- ginning, it is important in the life of a chil() to be^n right. The treats ment many a babe receives during the first hours of its life causes it to be a puny, su fieri ng infant, giving it a constitution predisposed to disease. The first thing is to protect the sensitive darling from exposure. There must be absolutely no exposure to chill. Thirf is easily done by plenty of soft, warm flannels — a dozen pieces or more, some of which need be quite shawls. When needed, they must be full of fire warmth, full as they can hold, no matter if it is a warm August night. When the child needs attention, make the pliysician take a large piece of this and cover it in- stjintly. He can do his whole duty with the child well covered. Never use water for the first bath, but sweet-oil; I prefer the oil of sweet cream, made by simmering cream in a shallow dish on the stove until the oil separates, to be applied with a soft piece of warm flannel. If care is used in removing the oil, you will be surprised to see how sweet the little one looks; on no account use water on the child until it is well climatized, say twenty-four to forty-eight hours. When a babe screams through its first toilet operation, it is either cold or frightened. Desist at once, and fold it closer in its warm wrappings, making sure that nothing soiled or damp is touching it. I^et the little head be cared for first, then one arm, and s

Its clothing can be any thing that is warm enough and loose enough. Don't pin it up as if it was to be used to play ball with, and was in dan- ger of getting tumbled to pieces. It is not even to be handled much, but laid away to rest as long as it will, and kept Htill ; don't let some loving soul keep it swaying around. If it acts like waking up or is uneasj*. pass yoxxT hands carefully under it, and gently turn it oh its other side.

Its food, first and only, at present is that which God has so wisely pro^

SOMETHING ABOUT BABIES. 551

Tided; this is all that it needa, even if it gets but a few drops at a time. If it can not be satisfied without worrying the mother too muctif a little — a very- little — fresh cow's milk can be used with pure sugar and one-third water. Always remember this — the milk of a "farrow cow" will kill a young lamb just as sure as it enters its stomach.

I do not think it wise to insist on regular feeding times for nursing infants, or as long as milk is the chief sustenance. There are many days when the healthiest of children are fretful. Their gums begin to swell younger than is generally supposed. There is nothing more soothing than — well, just let the little pet have its own way ; it will prove to you when it is most comfort- able. A Saby never cries if it is comfortable ; when«4t ciies it asks for some- thing; put yourself in itsplace and maybe you can come near to the under- standing. Many of its sufierings are caused by unwise changes in its clothing. You give it a slight cold by your own thoughtlessness; then for heaven's sake don't give it some soothing syrup to weaken its digestion, and render it liable to be hurt by all food except the simplest My oldest bov is a victim to sootli- ing medicines. He must be so careful througli watermelon and fruit season, or he will be sick all the time ; but four others, all past five years old, who never took as much as a cup of sage-tea, of medicine, can digest any thing. Mv remedy for most of the ailments of children is fire warmth.

For colic, unpin the little one's clothing so that the fire can shine clear to its arm-pits, heating your own hand and passing it gently over the restless little squirmer. This will either prevent or cure almost any thing. If it seems very sick, its head hot, you must watch that; I ^ever knew a child to go into fits unless its head was hot and its hands and feet cold. In this case, bathe the little feet in wann water; and, if it is in summer, get the leaves of horse-radish, or a plant of that nature, roll and wilt them, and bind on the soles of the feet and in the palms of the hands; not to blister, only to keep moist and wann. If you can not get the green leaves, ginger on wet warm cloths will do. Then keep the head wet, and kee{> ever^ one from the room but the one whom the child wishes to take care of it. Give water or milk — whichever the child prefers ; or, if not weaned, let it nurse all it wishes, no matter if it keeps throwing it up— that is natiire's provision for nursing^ babiiis. It is reaa^ now to be soothed to sleep, and will generally waken with a gentle perspiration. When you think you must give some kind of warm tea, ^ve pure warm water that has been boiled ; it is the best hot drink out for either mother or child in pain.

My mother was once taken three miles on a cold winter's night to see a young infant that they feared was going into fits. It screamed and strug- gled and fought for breath, while its young mother, pale with fear was walking the house crying too. *' Why, said mother, '* the child has only got the * snuffles,' bring me a little soft grease." She rubbed the nose gently until the child was partially^ relieved. Being cjuite a bad case, she advised the mother to milk a strain of breast-milk into the nostril ; she did so, the child sneezed three or four times and dropped asleep in two minutes. This is also all that is needed for weak or sore eyes in an infant — ^breast milk.

For sore mouth, a weak solution of borax ; but vour child will not have a sore mouth or any other disease, if you follow these directions and vour own good sense ; and remember that soothing syrups are the lazy mother's •cure. It is so much easier to put a child to sleep than to bathe it and warm it and nurse it well.

For croup, take sweet hog's lard and tincture of camphor or camphor gum and simmer together a short time ; gum the size of a pea to a table- spoon of lard; keep it in the house prepared, and rub on the throat at first symptom. This will relieve any hard cough almost instantly ; if it does not, mix one teaspoon of it with a tablespoon of molasses, and take in- wardly. If you are called to a child too bad — too far gone — for theae simple remedies, put it in a warm bath as quick as it can oe prepared.

552 SOMETHING ABOUT BABIES.

For whooping-cotigh, encour^ the child to eat sour fniits, either cooked or raw, or both, all it wishes. This keeps the system cool, the bowels open, and the throat clear.

In weaning your darling, be sure you have plenty of suitable food in the house that' baby is fond of. First teach baby to' go to sleep without nursing ; after he has become accustomed to this, teach him to oo without it during the dav, and to go to sleep at bed-time ; then let him nurse all he wishes through the rest of the night, only being careful to leave the bed before he awakens in the morning. Let him nurse this wav for several weeks, that the change of living may not be too sudden. I liave weaned three children in this way without a single crying spell, and no one about the house knew about it.

The family physician is a great blessing — more so than his medicine. Never fail to call him in time, if the disease proves stubborn ; but let him understand that you wish advice as to nursing, and not his medicine, un- less it is very necessary. Most peojjle -think if a doctor leaves no drugs behind his visit is so much lost money ; doctors understand this, and leave medicine whether necessary or not. As your child conquers one trifling ailment after another and grows in health and beauty, you will grad- ually gain a confidence in nature that will be a great rock of defense for a parent of a growing family ; if you will obey her laws she will never dis- appoint you.

The regular meals, so necessary to the health and comfort of a family, must be regular. If you insist on the children only eating at their meals, don't sit and sew, or visit, with hunger gnawing at. their vitals. I think it safest to allow growing children to have a piece between meals, if they are hungry enough to eat dry, light bread ; no butter to grease things, or molastset or milk to tempt them to eat more than they need for necessary sup^Kjrt, The only trouble, I find, is they soon get to be too fond of the crusts and '* pud- ding pieces."

The care of the feet is the great picket post after the child begins to run alone. Watch, watch the little feet that no damp or chill is creeping up to chill the vitals. A pair of warm stockings to each pair of restless feet must be kept by the stove in all damp or cold weather, and never let a child stop a moment its tictive play until you know whether its feet are warm and dry. You had better change feet-covering four or five times a day during those delightful, treacheron.s springdays, than towatch a sick-bed and lose your darling at last. This i.«« what neglect of the feet often brings the little onet to. I know the task 1 am enjoining on mothers and nurses. I have had twenty-three pairs of stockings hanging around my cook-stove at once, each pair in daily use for exchanges. But I do not know what it is to lose a child, or hafdlv a night's rest, and we have raised six from babyhood. Never let them go to "bed without having their feet all aglow with warmth to their knees from the bright fire shining upon them. This is my hobby; fire- warmth. It will cure ear-ache, stomacn-ache, head-ache, le^s-ache ; prevent neuralgia, whit^-swellings, rheumatic pains, indigestion. Yes, Pm a "fire worshiper," and you will l)e after you have tried its virtues on yourself and children faithfully for twenty years.

In conclusion, my theory is incessant watchfulness of first symptoms — prevention rather than cure. But let no untried mother feel discouraged ; the care of a babe is no trouble to a true mother. As often as it needs attention, so often do her eyes long for a sight of the sweet dimpled flesh, the dainty limbs; the loving touch of the little hands upon her face and neck has more than mesmeric power. And after all is done for them, if they seem to you to be growing coarse and unlovely, smile upon them oftener, kiss them, caress them. Don't let the pressing duties of the younger ones lead you to ne- glect the older ones. If a child once learns to do without mother's caressses^ you can never again make them necessary to that child.

SOMETHING ABOUT BABIES. 553

When the first signs of the teeth appear, the salivary glands are so fur developed that the secretion of saliva is large, and "drooling" is notice<l. This saliva moistens the gums and softens them, so that the com^nj^ teotu make their way through with -less difficulty. At this time an ivory coral or hard rubber ring is useful. There is a sensation in the gums wiiich the child tries to relieve by biting. Later, when the gum is inllain»-i and sore, a soft substance is better than hard. If the gum is nun li swollen, and there are symi)tonis of tliirst and fever and flushed cheeks, tlio child should be seen by a physician. There may be something more seriou.-* than teething.

If the case is mild, soothing applications such as honey of roses, borax and honey, and syrup of gum araoic will relieve. If bowels are constipated an injection may oe given, or even a mild laxative, with a warm foot-bath at bed-time. Lancing of the gums is sometimes necessary, and is harmless and not painful if done skillfully and at the proper time. Rubbing the gums with a thimble is very harsh treatment. «

When a child falls ill, a good many people charge the trouble to "worms." The real cause of the trouble is generally indigestion, which causes an in- creased secretion of mucus, and this makes a harbor for worms, which in themselves do !»ot produce irritation, unless they exist in great numbers. Bottle-fed children oftener suffer from indigestion than others. The indi- cations are pining, pevishness, constipation or diarrhea, a sour breatli, etc. These may result from overfeeding or from unsuitable food. Overfeeding is most frequent. If the stomach is not able to digest the food it will irritate the bowels and produce diarrhea. The summer diarrhea of children hegins with indigestion, whi(;h weakens the system, and makes it sensitive to hot weather. The proi)er color for passages from the bowels in infancy is yel- low. In cases of indigestion the color is greenish, or, if yellow when passecl, soon becomes green. In diarrhea they are offensive ana greenish, or even a bright green. The point is to find out the cause of tiie trouble and cctrcct it in the early stages of the disease.

The daily increase in weight of a healthy infant is from a quarter to three-quarters of an ounce.

Batliing ought not to be neglected for a single day. It ought to be re- garded as a sacred maternal duty.

The hair should be kept short during infancy and childhood. No finer heads of hair are ever seen than those on girls whose hair has been crop})cd close, boy-fashion, until ten years old.

No more dangerous humbug was ever taught than that malt liquors o- wine was necessary or healthful for a nursing woman.

Sugar should always be an addition to less palatable food, and never given alone.

A strict observance of the laws of health will strengthen a good const; tution and improve a bad one.

Diarrhea in nursing children is always the result in a change in the composition of the milk, from whatever cause.

The period of weaning should be fixed between twelve and twenty months, beginning by ceasing to give the breast at night.

Children .should not sleep with sickly persons or with those of advanced 8ge.

Where an infant sleeps, light and noise should be excluded.

A young child should not be wakened suddenly, nor by any rude motion or loud noise.

Pulling roughly, trotting, tossing, swinging from side to side, and all rude play of this sort does no good and may do great harm.

A wise mother, who has a cheerful disposition herself and performs well her duties as nurse, will have no good rea.son to complain that uer time is all occupied by day and her rest disturbed by night. 35

554 SOMETHINO ABOUT BABIES.

A YOUNG MOTHER writes: *' I have a little boy seven years old, and a little eirl of four. I have never had the trouble of some yoang mothers, simplv because I was regular with them from their birth. They never slept with me, but in a crib at the side of my bed. I had the crib lined so as to prevent a draught, and tucked their covers tightly over their feet and fastened them at the top with large safety pins to the pillow — then they can not throw them off to take cold. I never nursed my babies more than twice in the night, and often but once ; they slept better being alone. In the mornine I nursed baby, and once between breakfast and dinner, and again between dinner and supper, also right after dinner was over, at regular hours every day. If they >rot hungry between times, they were ted bread and milk. After sapper, tlie little one was undressed, rubbed well, back and limbs, flannel nightgown put on, theu nursed and put to bed, and they seldom awoke before twelve o'clock; so I had the evenings for reading and practicing. In the morning they were taken up, bathed in warm water, dressed, nursed, and given a nap of two hours. In the afternoon they were put to sleep at one o'clock, and they would sleep till three. I think no mother should nurse her baby after .it is a year old ; it breaks the mother down, and does baby no good. As my children grew out of babyhood I still kept them regular in their habits. They get up in the morning at seven o'clock, wash, dress, and eat breakfast, drinking milk instead of coffee, play all the morning, and eat a hearty din- ner. At one o'clock they are put in a bath, their night clothes put on, and gut to bed. They sleep till three or half-past

Sudden Checking op Perspiration. — A Boston merchant, m " lending a hand," on board one of his own ships on a windy day, found himself, at the §ndof an hour and a half, pretty well exhausted and perspiring freely. He sat down to rest, and engagm^ in conversation, time passed faster than he was aware of. In attempting to rise he found he was unable to do so without assistance. He was taken iiome and put to bed, where he remained two years ; and for a long time after could only hobble about with the aid of a crutch. Less exposures than this have, in constitutions not so vigorous, re- sulted in infiammation of the lungs — "pneumonia" — ending in death in less than a week, or causing tedious rheumatisms, to be a source of torture for a lifetime. Multitudes of lives would be saved everv year^ and an in- calculable amount of human suffering would be preventecl if parents would begin to explain to their children, at tlie ^e of three or four years, the danger which attends cooling off too quickly after exercise, and the importance of not standing still after exercise, or work, or play, or of remaining exposed to the wind, or of sitting at an open window or door, or of pulling off any gar- ment, even the hat or bonnet, while heated.

The Uses of a Sand-bao. — One of the most convenient articles to be used ill a sick-room is a sand-bag. Get some fine sand, dry it thoroughly in a kettle on the stove, make a bag about eight inches square of flannel,* fill it w^ith the dry sand, sew the opening carefully together, and cover the bag with cotton or linen cloth. This will prevent the sand from sifting out, ana will also enable you to heat the bag quickly by placing it in the oven, or even on the top of the st<^ve. After once using this you will never again attempt to warm the feet or hands of a sick person with a bottle of hot water or a brick. The sand holds the heat a long time, and the bag can be tucked up to the back without hurting the invalid. It is a good plan to make two or three of the bags and keep them ready for use.

Give babies very little sugar, in any form whatevel", as it has a tendency *o constipate.

SOMETHING ABOUT BABIES. 555

On the first symptoms of cold, such as snuffling, or any slight hoarse- ness, give immediately a warm foot bath, and then grease with mutton tallow the nose, neck, chest, and feet; warm the feet well at the fire. Sweet- oil, pig's-foot oil, or any kind of good grease will answer as well as mutton tallow. After warming w^ell put them to bed and wrap up well.

Milk for the use oxchildren should cool until the animal heat is gone before using.

The fbllowlng mles for the munagemeut of infants daring the hotseasoa are from Dr. Wilsdo'a " summer and Its Difteoses ** :

ItrUe t.-> Bathe the child once a day In tepid water. If feeble, sponge all over twice a day with tepid water, or tepid water and vinegar.

Jiule2,—AvolA all tight bandaging. Make clothing light and cool, and so looAe that tbe limbs may bave free play. At night undress, sponge, and put on a slip. In the morning remove slip, bathe, and dre.ss in clean clothes ir It can be aflforded ; if not, thoroughly air elothing by hanging it up during the night. Use clean diapers, and change often.

JiuU 3.— Let the child sleep by Itself In a cot or cradle. Put to t>ed at regular hours, and t«ach to go to sleep wliboui being nursed in the arms. Give no cordUtl, toothing syrup, or tUeuing aropt, wUhoxU the advice uf a phytidan. Tfiey kill thousandx of children every year. If the chlla frets it is hungry or ill. Never quiet a child by caudy or cake. They are com- moD causes of diarrhea and other troubles.

RuleA.—ia\ve the child plenty of fresh air. Give it plenty of pure cold water. Keep It oat of rooms where cooking or washing is going on. Excessive hi-ai kills children.

Rule b.—Kee^ the liouse sweet and clean, cool, and well aired. In hot weather leave windows open day and night. Cook in the yard, in a shed, or in ibe garret. Whitewash wails every spring, and keep cellar clear of rubbish. Let no slops collect. Disinfect priviei and sinks tty a solution of copperas, and got your neighbors to riean up.

RuU 6.— Ii tbe supply of breasi-mllk is ample, and the child thrives, gives no other food in hot weather. If the supply is short give guai's or cow's milk in addition. Nuise once in two or three hours by day, and as seldom as possible at night. Bemove child from breast as soon as It falls asleep, and never give tbe breast when overheated or fatigued.

ifui«7.— if brought up by hand, give soat's milk, or cow's milk, and use no other fbod while hot weather lasts. For an infant tnai has not cut its front teeth, no subslUult for miik it mfe. Creeping children must not be allowed to pick up unwholesome food.

J2u/«6.— If^miik is pure add one-third hot water to It until child ia three months old ; af- terwards gradually lessen the water. Sweeten each pint with a heaping dessert-spoon ftil of sugar of milk, or a teo-spoonfUl crushed sugar. When very hot weather give milk cold. It must be unskimmed and as fresh as possible, and brouqM, very early in the morning. Scald pans to be used with boiling suds. In very hot weather boil milk assoon as it comes, and remove to the coolest place in the house upuu ice or down in a well. In a warm room it floon spoils

HuU 9.— If the milk disagrees add a Uble-spoon of lime-water to each botUeful. If pure milk can not be had. try condensed milk, sold at all grocers. Prepare by adding to six table-spoons boiling water, without sugar, one table-spoon or more of the milk, accord- ing to age of the cnild. If this disagrees, a tea-Kt)oon of arrow-root, of sago, or of corn- starch, may be added to a pint of milk, a.>i prepared under Itule 8, and cautiously tried. If milk can not be digested try, for a few d.iys. pure creaiii, diluted with three-fourths to four-flfths water, returning to milk as soon as poHslbie.

RtUe 10.— The nursing-bottle mutt be kr^tt yttUctly clean, otherwise the milk will turn sour, and the child will be made ill. Empty atlei each meal, rinse tirst in cold water, take apart, and place nipple and bottle in clean water, to wliich u little soda has been added. It is bet- ter to have two bottles, and use them by turns. The plain bottle with rubber nipples is better than the tube, which is difficult to keep clean.

Rule 11.— Do not wean a child Just before or during hot weather ; nor. as a rule, until after Its second summer. If suckling disagrees with the mother she must not wean the child, but feed it in part from the nursing bottle as directed. However Amall the supply of breant- milk, the mother should keep it upagaiust sickness. Jt will i\;un save l/u life, of a child when every thing else faiU. When over six months old the mother may save her strength by giving it one or two meals a da}' of stale bread and milk, which should be pressed tbrough a sieve, and put into a nursing bottle. When from eiKht months to a year old, it may have also one meal a day of the yolk of a fresh, rare boilea egg, or one of beef or mut- teu-broth, into which stale bread has been crumbled. When older ft can have a little meat, finely minoed ; but even then milk should be its principal food, and not what grown people usually eaL

Jitde 12.— If a child is suddenly taken with vomiting, and purging, and prostration, send Ibr the doctor at once. Meantime, put the child fbr a few minutes in a hot bath, then carefully wipe dry with a warm towel, and wrap in warm blankets, if hands and teei are cold, apply bottles filled with hot water and wrapped in flannel. Place a mush poultice or flaxseed poultice to which one quarter part of mustard flour has i>een added, or flannels wrung out of hot vinegar and water, over the belly. Give every fifteen minutes, five drops braDoy in a teaspoonfiil of water; if vomiting continues, give the brandy in the same ttuantlty oi milk and lime-water. If the dlarrhcea has Just beguUi or if caused by improper iood, give a teaspoonfUl of castor-oil. or of spioed syrup of rhubarb. If the child has been fed partly on breast-milk, mother's milk alone must be used now. If weaned, dilute pure milk witn lime-water, or give weak beef-tea or chicken-water. Let child drink cold water freely. Bemove soiled diapers at once from the room but save lor the examination of the physician.