seam turned inside, figure 1 shows the folded diaper with the inner pad in position, and figure 2 the diaper as it appears when pinned. The square diaper is used in each of the sketches. Many physicians and nurses prefer the oblong or towel-shaped diaper, which does away with some of the superfluous material of the square form. The material is folded down at the top so that it is double under the seat. The lower corners are brought up between the legs and fastened in four places. Figure 3 illustrates the oblong diaper as it appears when folded and pinned. The babies in the picture on page 20, Plate V, are wearing oblong diapers. SHOES AND STOCKINGS. It is very important to keep the baby's legs and feet warm. Stockings and diaper should meet, leaving no part of the leg exposed. If the weather is warm the baby will not usually require any covering for his feet, but in cold weather and in all weather when it grows cold toward night it is well for him to wear a pair of merino stockings. These need not be all wool; indeed, if of a mixture of cotton they are much better, as they will not shrink. For an older baby, who is on the floor a good deal, stockings and soft-soled shoes are necessary for comfort, except during the heat of summer. All the shoes from the very first should be chosen to fit the natural shape of the foot, with broad toes and straight soles. Socks may be worn in summer, but in the cooler months the baby's legs should be entirely covered. Plate IV1 shows the actual shape of the bottom of a baby's foot, with suitable and unsuitable shoes. Plate V2 shows some of the happy patrons of a day nursery in the stockyards district of Chicago dressed for a hot summer day. CLOAKS AND CAPS. Since a baby exercises very little when taken out in a carriage, he must be warmly wrapped. Cloaks should either be of warm woolen material or have an interlining of wool, or in cold climates both. For the "runabout" baby additional warmth is secured by the use of leggings, a sweater, overshoes, and mittens. In summer if a wrap is needed it may be of silk or cotton, although a cloak of challis, cashmere, or nun's veiling has more warmth and at the same time is light in weight. Caps should not be thick enough to cause the head to perspire. A silk cap with an interlining of wool wadding or of flannel may be used in winter. In the coldest weather a little hood knitted of woolen yarn, having a cape to come down under the coat collar and protect the neck, is excellent. Silk or muslin caps may be worn in the milder months, or the baby may go bareheaded if protected from the sun. No starch should be used in the caps, as stiff strings or ruffles will scratch the delicate skin of the baby and may produce eczema. Cap strings and ribbons should be 1 Pediatrics, by Dr. Thomas M. Rotch. 2 Courtesy of Dr. Alice Hamilton. carefully examined after the child is dressed, to see that they are not too tightly tied. Frostbitten nose or cheeks may result if the circulation is checked by tight ribbons. Plate VI1 illustrates a simple and cheap winter wrap and hood for a young baby. Plate VII' shows how it is made. 1 Courtesy of Miss Rena P. Fox, Babies' Hospital, Philadelphia. Cut a piece of eiderdown as indicated by dotted lines, making it long enough (from e to f) to reach from the baby's neck to about 4 to 6 inches below his feet, and wide enough to lap over entire chest on each side, thus giving double thickness over front of body. The darts in the top will make it fit somewhat over the shoulders. The extension at the bottom should be about one-third the length of the baby. The hood, which should be fastened to the wrap in the back, is made by cutting along the dotted line, the flannel being double at the top. Sew these edges together. The cap may be lined and tied under the chin with ribbons if desired. Put the wrap on by folding over first one side and then the other and fasten every 3 or 4 inches; then turn up the square over the feet, fastening with pins or buttons at corners as illustrated in the drawing. OUT-OF-DOOR LIFE. Keep the baby out of doors. Except in winter, begin when the baby is 2 weeks old to take him out for a few minutes every day in mild, pleasant weather, increasing the time gradually until he is staying out most of the time. Probably no other thing will do so much to insure a healthy babyhood as this, and the result will well repay whatever trouble is necessary to secure it. With the exceptions mentioned below, a baby may spend practically all the time out of doors, both sleeping and waking, if there is some one to look after him to see that he is protected against sun, wind, and dangerous insects. A young baby may stay in his carriage or crib on the porch, on the roof, under the trees, or in the back yard, where the busy mother can look after him; older babies who need exercise may be kept in a creeping pen either on the porch or in the yard. (See p. 25.) If it is not feasible to provide out-of-door sleeping places for these older babies, at least the windows of the nursery should be kept wide open most of the year. WHEN NOT TO TAKE THE BABY OUT. When the weather is very cold, as in winter in the North, when the snow is melting, or when there is a heavy storm in progress or a high wind blowing quantities of dust about, it will be best to give the baby his airing indoors or on a protected porch. Dress him as for going out, open all the windows wide, and let him remain in the fresh air for some time. Very young or delicate babies require much heat and must be very warmly covered to protect them against being chilled, and a baby under 3 months of age should not be taken out in severe weather; but plenty of fresh air is essential to all babies. When the weather is excessively hot the baby should be taken out early in the day and then kept indoors until the late afternoon. From that time on until the rooms have cooled in the evening he should be kept out, being well protected from mosquitoes. If a screened porch is available, the health and comfort of the baby will be greatly increased. |