Clothing – The Infant Care

Clothing – The Infant

 It is of great importance that those who care for infants should realize the necessity of proper clothing. The surface of an infant’s body is greater in proportion to its entire weight than that of adults. Greater surface means that there is greater radiation of heat, and that the infant will cool off much more rapidly than those with larger bodies. We thus see at once that special attention must be given to retaining the heat of the body. It is for this reason that a small, weak infant must be kept warmer than a large, healthy one. At the same time we must not err in the opposite direction and clothe the child so warmly that excessive perspiration results, and consequent rapid cooling at the slightest change. It must also be remembered that even the slightest pressure on the infant’s body may interfere with the growth of the internal organs. Clothing, therefore, must be light, loose and warm.
 Cord dressing : One of the first attentions bestowed upon the new born babe is the proper dressing of the umbilical cord (navel). This should be attended to by the physician or nurse, and when once applied should never be disturbed or changed except by skilled hands. This dressing may be held in place by a few turns of a gauze bandage around the infant’s abdomen. Outside of this the abdominal band may be applied.
 Abdominal band : The best form is that which is made of light weight silk and wool material. It is provided with shoulder straps and a tab in front, which is fastened with a safety pin to the napkin. Great care must be used to prevent undue pressure, and it is better to have the binder too loose than too tight. A binder which is loose before feeding becomes sometimes painfully tight afterward, and it is not uncommon to find that the supposed colic of infants is due to a too tight binder. The heavy flannel binders which have been used in the past, and which are supposed to prevent rupture, are of no value and invariably cause discomfort to the infant. A broad gauze bandage (mentioned above for holding the cord dressing in place) will answer all the purposes of the old-fashioned flannel binder, and is more cleanly, comfortable and economical. If a flannel binder is used it should be of the lightest material. It should pass around the abdomen only once, and be fastened at the side with tapes rather than with pins. Pins are always to be avoided in an infant’s clothing when possible. Not only are the points likely to cause pain, but also the pressure of a safety pin upon the body may be uncomfortable to the infant.
 Napkin : The napkin may be folded and fastened with a safety pin as is customary for keeping it in place. The usual napkin is heavy and cumbersome. It can be replaced by several layers of soft gauze or cheese cloth which absorb the urine from the skin, an important quality in cases where the skin is easily irritated. This gauze is procured in large rolls, and, as it is inexpensive, the pieces which become soiled from a movement of the bowels can be burned. If the old-fashioned napkin is used, it is advisable to place a small square of this gauze inside the napkin. If economy is desired these pieces may be used again after thorough washing and boiling.
 In fastening the napkin, great care must be used not to have it too tight. A much better method of fastening it is that in which a large square of the gauze is laid under the child’s buttocks and the two upper corners pinned in front to the binder, while the two lower corners are carried around the child’s thighs and pinned to the back of the napkin. This is quite as efficacious in young infants as the common method, and is much more cleanly and comfortable. All napkins must be washed, boiled, and thoroughly dried before re-applying. It must be remembered that soiled napkins may contain disease germs and these may be conveyed on the nurse’s hands and infect others. This is especially likely to happen in cases of summer diarrhoea. The nurse should therefore use great care in cleansing her hands after changing the napkins.
 After the band and napkin are adjusted there are three garments to be considered, the shirt, the petticoat and the dress. These complete the long clothing. No stockings are necessary, but short, knit socks may be used if desired.
 Shirt : The shirt should be cut with long sleeves and a high neck, and should be nearly as long as the outer dress. It should be of fine, soft, all wool, or silk and wool material. A fresh garment of this sort is sufficient for night wear.
 Petticoat : The petticoat is made of fine flannel with no sleeves and low neck. It should be large enough to fit loosely over the shirt, and also nearly as long as the outer garment. Both of these garments should be sufficiently large to allow the infant to move its legs freely without restraint. If additional warmth is required, the petticoat may be constructed with a flap at the bottom which folds up in front and buttons, closing the petticoat like a bag. This is not necessary, however, with a healthy baby and a well warmed nursery.
 Dress : The outer slip or dress can be made of light fine material, such as nainsook or lawn. The mother’s decorative tastes may be given full play with this garment, but it is wise to avoid folds and ruffles, which are likely to form in bunches under the baby’s body when lying. The dress should have a high neck and long sleeves and should be at least a yard in length. It should never be starched.
 Fastenings : All of these garments should be open from top to bottom, and should be fastened with small, flat buttons, either in front or behind. All the garments should correspond in this respect, so that all three may be slipped on together, and the baby turned only once during the dressing. Mothers who consider the baby’s comfort as of more importance than its appearance will have these garments fastened in front. A row of buttons pressing against the baby’s back will not add to its comfort. After the bath these three garments should be put together and put on quickly with a single turning, thus avoiding the discomfort usually caused by excessive handling in dressing the infant.
 Short Clothes : About the time the child begins to creep, or by the fifth or sixth month, if the weather is warm, short clothes may be substituted for the long ones.
 Shirt : The undergarment can be replaced by a light, knitted, or fine, all wool, short undershirt, with high neck and long sleeves.
 Petticoat and Dress : The outer garments may be shortened, and in winter, if necessary, another short petticoat may be worn.
 Stockings : Long stockings of soft wool must be added, to be held in place by pinning to the napkin. The practice of toughening children by letting them go bare-legged is most pernicious. It may do no harm in strong, sturdy children, but certainly does no good. Stockings may, of course, be omitted in warm weather.
 Shoes : Soft moccasins without heels or stiff soles are best. Most so-called “Orthopaedic shoes” are bad.
 Night Garment : The same night garment may be worn until the child is so active that the legs become uncovered during the night, in which case a long gown with a folding flap or a gathering string at the bottom may be used, or in older children night drawers.
 Head Covering : No head covering should be used in the house. When the baby is taken to the open window for air, the head may be protected by the blanket in which the infant is wrapped. A bonnet of silk or other soft material may be worn when out of doors, and in winter it may be of two or more thicknesses, or a knitted hood may be worn if very cold. Bonnets constructed with a gathering string at the back are bad on account of the unnecessary pressure at the back of the head. The bonnet should be perfectly smooth and fit loosely.
 In providing the baby’s wardrobe it is wise to be liberal as to the number of garments. Fresh garments should be put on daily.
 Blankets : Especially should there be a large number of fine, soft, flannel or knitted wrapping blankets. These should be large enough to fold around the baby two or three times.
 It should always be remembered that no hard and fast rules for dressing a baby can be laid down. Every baby is a law unto itself, and some must be clothed more warmly than others. This difference in individuality is as marked in babies as in adults, and should always be considered, not only as regards clothing, but in all the baby’s surroundings. The most frequent mistake, however, is that of overdressing the baby while in the house, and this is often done when the garments are of too heavy weight. It is best to buy soft silk and wool garments of the lightest weight, and when extra warmth is desired, use two light shirts instead of a single heavy one.