Care of Children

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 14, 1910

The following excellent advice regarding the care of small children during the summer months is given by Dr. Woodward, health officer of Washington, D. C.:—

“Do not wean a child before he is ten months old, and do not begin to wean him just before or during hot weather unless advised to do so by your physician. At any other time, or as soon as the middle teeth have come, the baby may have one or two meals each day.”

“A child one year old, in addition to its diet of milk and bread, may have gradually added to its list of foods an occasional soft-boiled egg. Cereals cooked three hours, and strained, may also be given.”

“Do not give any child under two years of age cabbage, pickles, tea or coffee, bananas, berries, or other fruit except orange or prune juice and stewed or baked apple. Do not give any cake, candy, or ice-cream.”

“A baby needs plenty of pure air at all times. When the weather permits, it is best to keep him outdoors all the time. When it is too hot or too cold to do this, the baby should be kept in a well-ventilated room.”

“Always protect the baby's eyes from bright light.”

“Put the baby to sleep at regular hours each day. He should always sleep in a bed by himself. Never give a child soothing sirup.”

“In hot weather have the clothing light and cool.”

“Give the baby a tub bath every day in tepid water.”

“Wash the mouth at least twice a day with a soft cloth wet in a weak solution of baking-soda and water.”

“Mother's milk as an infant's food has no equal. Do not give the baby any other food before it is ten months old. A baby should be fed at regular hours. Do not feed him every time he cries. Until the baby is four or five weeks old, he should be fed every two hours during the day and once or twice during the night.”

“Bottle feeding, as ordinarily practised, increases tenfold the dangers of the baby's dying during infancy. If bottle feeding is necessary, it should be under the direction of a physician.”

“Milk should be Pasteurized before being given to the baby. Nature made cow's milk for the calf, not for the baby. To make it a suitable food for a young infant, it must be ‘modified’ by increasing or decreasing the amount of fat that it contains, or increasing or decreasing the amount of the substances that make up the curd, and in other ways.”

“Canned and bottled foods for infants are, as a rule, objectionable. All food should be given to the baby lukewarm. The milk left in the nursing-bottle after one feeding should be thrown out.”

“As soon as the nursing-bottle is emptied, rinse two or three times with tepid water, then clean thoroughly with baking-soda and hot water (one teaspoonful of baking-soda to a pint of water), using a bottle-brush. After rinsing again, put the bottle upside down on a shelf in a clean, out-of-the-way place. Boil the bottle immediately before filling it for the next feeding. The hands of the mother or nurse should always be thoroughly washed with soap and water before handling the baby's food or feeding apparatus.”

“Children need water to drink just as adults do. You may give the baby all the fresh water he wants, but never give ice-water.”