– Benson.A.R
Airings
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| Airings |
The question as to when the baby may be taken out of doors and how long it may remain there depends entirely upon the strength of the baby and the climate. Except when the weather is very cold, the infant may be taken out of doors, well wrapped up, and remain there from ten to thirty minutes daily during the first two weeks of its life. After that it may have longer daily airings, and in summer, unless the weather is very stormy, it may remain out of doors as much as possible. There is no objection to an infant’s sleeping in the open air, if well protected, but on no account should the airing interfere with the regular times for feeding.
Premature or puny babies must be treated quite differently, and sometimes it is necessary to keep such babies in a warm room until they have become stronger. Intelligent judgment must be used in the matter of airing, and while fresh air is necessary and desirable, it must be remembered that the infant should be gradually accustomed to it.
Outer Garments : The outer garments should be regulated according to the temperature. On a warm day, even though that day is in the middle of winter, the baby will not need as many outer garments as it does on a cold day. It is not unusual to find a baby wrapped up in the same manner every day in winter, and these garments are shed when the summer approaches. More intelligent treatment is to change the outer wraps from day to day according to wind and weather. In order to do this, it is necessary to have a number of outer garments of different weights. It is a mistake to provide a few expensive or fashionable garments when a number of cheaper ones will add to the baby’s comfort and health.
Babies are very susceptible to wind, and such days will cause them more harm and discomfort than clear cold days. Under no circumstances should the wind be allowed to blow directly upon the baby’s face. Days when there is melting snow upon the ground should also be avoided. The window thermometer should always be consulted before dressing the baby for its airing.
The baby’s carriage should be deep and roomy. The top should be provided with an extra piece behind, so that when the top is brought forward to protect the baby’s face the rear is closed. Such a carriage is that known as the Pullman Sleeper. Go-carts, especially the folding form, are uncomfortable and put too much strain on the baby’s spine.
Sleep
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| Sleep – The Infant Care |
Infants differ as much as adults in the amount of sleep required, and the only safe rule is to allow each child to sleep as much as possible.
After nursing, babies naturally fall into a normal sleep. They should always be awakened when the hour for nursing returns.
As the child grows older, less sleep is required, but it is well to have a regular period for resting in the forenoon and in the afternoon. Later the forenoon rest may be omitted. It is not necessary for the nurse to rock the child asleep in her arms. From the beginning, the infant should be taught to sleep in its own bed and in a room by itself. If this is done from the first, the child is much happier and the nurse is saved a great deal of trouble.
There is no objection to sleeping out of doors either day or night, if the weather is mild and the child is kept warm. Great care must be taken, however, to prevent mosquito and other insect bites. Diseases are often conveyed in this way as well as by house flies. A few cents invested in mosquito netting will often save a large amount in physician’s fees.