Nursing Sick Children by Mrs. A. W. Semmens

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 6, 1909

Nursing Sick Children

By Mrs. A. W. Semmens

Most children who are sick turn to mother. And she really is the one who should care for her little one. But it often happens that a serious illness comes upon a child, and the mother can not take the full responsibility. Her love for the child can not help her own bodily weakness, so some one stronger in body is called to her aid. It is to these I wish to write.

First of all, never undertake to nurse a sick child if you do not love little children. Love them; have patience, gentleness, firmness, cheerfulness, an inexhaustible good temper, sympathy with their little ways, power to understand and read their wants, and good health to be able to stand a strain. No one can judge us so well as the children; they read our characters quicker than adults. Children will like or dislike us as they find out what we are. So let us develop character that can stand the test of their criticism.

See that your wee patient is in a bright room, if possible. A cot or single bed is the best. If he is a nervous child, draw the bed beside yours (if you are able to rest). If necessary, take the little hand in yours till the child is soothed to sleep. Never leave anything within reach that can do the little patient harm. If he is prescribed a certain quantity to drink, never give him more in the glass than he should take. Keep him fresh and clean always. If through long illness the child has been spoiled by the mother, then she will do her child a kindness by keeping away from him all she can while he is with the nurse. This is undoubtedly a hard task to set a mother; but the greater heartbreak would be to see her child die because the nurse could not control him, and she herself was too weary.

Somehow, till a child learns to know the doctor, he is always suspicious of what may be done, so the nurse must be the go-between. The doctor must examine the child, and, if he is afraid, the nurse must use tact. Get everything ready before the child knows of the examination, and let him feel that you will stand by him whatever comes. Take his clothes off and throw a sheet or blanket round him. Make the examinations seem as though the doctor were there for the child's special entertainment. Always deal with a child truthfully. If the examination or treatment is going to hurt him, tell him so. If he is to take disagreeable medicine, do not say it is nice, or that you like it. Appeal to his heroism, and nine cases out of ten it will work well. Do not force a child till every other means has been used. If you deceive a child once, he will never have perfect confidence.

If a bath has been ordered, and the child shrinks from water, make it the right temperature, cover with a sheet or blanket, and let the little one down gently into the water. The bath will thus be robbed of its horror. If ordered a very hot bath, raise the temperature of the water after the child has been put into it. This can be done almost unknown to the little one by adding very hot water gently and stirring the bath all the while. Hot foments and packs, often so necessary, can be given in such a manner that the child does not mind after a little while. The skin of a child is delicate and can not bear great heat, so try it on your face first, and if you can bear it yourself, the child usually can. Often by slipping a towel over the affected part you can give the hot fomentations without the child's minding so much.

While the little patient is in a critical condition, there is seldom much trouble. It is when the danger is past, and he is getting better, that he needs so much attention. He does not like to be left a minute, and all the care bestowed upon him during the severe illness is missed, for he does not like falling back into his old ways. If in her anxiety the nurse has pampered him, it will tax her to the utmost to know how to entertain him during convalescence. Most children like stories, so tell him such as will not excite him. Play with him; make yourself a child with him. If you do your duty to a child through a serious illness, and let him see how much love you have put into your work, your anxiety will be rewarded by the perfect confidence of at least one child.— Mrs. A. W. Semmens, in Australasian Good Health.