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11
Remember that children under the age of three years
cannot digest the same food as grown-up persons. Never
give them tea, cheese, pickles, pastry, nuts, nor uncooked
vegetables of any kind. Cooked fruit is safe and wholesome,
but uncooked fruit should only be given when it is perfectly
fresh and ripe.
No child should ever be given sips of beer, wine or spirits
of any kind.
CLOTHING.
A young infant should be lightly but warmly clad in a
flannel night-gown with long sleeves.
The night-gown should reach well below the feet and
should be fitted with tapes which can be tied to prevent the
child from uncovering itself.
During cold weather older children should always have
their arms and legs as well as their bodies warmly clothed with
flannel. It is a great mistake to try to harden infants by
letting them expose their arms and legs in cold weather.
CLEANLINESS.
Wash baby all over in warm water once a day before a
fire. Dry very carefully. If the folds of skin are red, dust
with powder.
Never let a wet napkin remain on for a moment.
All soiled napkins should be put immediately in a vessel
of cold water with some disinfectant and washed as soon as
possible. This is especially important in the summer weather
when Diarrhoea is about, as flies may carry the infection from
the soiled napkin of a child who is suffering from the disease
and infect the milk or sugar that is used in making the food of
some other infant, and so give it Diarrhoea too.
FRESH AIR.
Keep the windows open night and day throughout the
year. The baby will not catch cold or suffer in any way if
properly clad. Let the baby be in the open air every day
when the weather is fine. If you cannot take it out yourself
or send anyone with it, let it lie out in a cot or perambulator
in the garden.
SLEEP.
Regulate the sleeping as carefully as the feeding.
A good habit in this respect will save you much trouble
and anxiety.