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The Baby's Toilet

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 26, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 4.

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The Baby's Toilet

By EULALIA S. SISLEY-RICHARDS

EULALIA S. SISLEY-RICHARDS, M. D.
EVERY morning at a certain hour baby should have his bath. It matters not so much as to the time chosen, as that this hour be regularly observed. In the early months of life nine or ten o'clock is a suitable hour, though care should be taken that the bath is not given too soon after feeding. At least an hour should elapse after taking food. Later on, when the little one is up and dressed for breakfast, his bath may be taken on rising.
Before undressing the baby everything that will be required for his bath should be in readiness, as it is most inconvenient, and dangerous to the child's health as well, to suspend proceedings after once begun, while hasty search is made for some forgotten necessity.
The following articles should be in readiness:—
A suitable bath tub, conveniently standing upon a low support so as not to involve too much bending on the part of the mother or nurse.
A supply of hot and cold water.
A bath thermometer, preferably one protected by a wooden frame so that it will float in the water.
A wash basin. The double china sponge basin is good.
Two soft sponges or Turkish gloves.
Plain castile or other non-irritating soap.
Two soft towels which should be warm and dry.
A bath apron to protect the nurse's dress.
A change of fresh clothing should be placed on a rack near the fire.
The baby's toilet basket, containing the usual articles, should be near at hand.
The temperature of the bath is a matter of considerable importance. While it is desirable to lower it gradually from week to week, it must be remembered that young children do not well withstand cold. In regulating the temperature of the bath the hand is an unsafe guide. Still more unsafe is it to judge by the appearance of the baby, as did a certain Bridget, who concluded that the bath was too hot if her little charge turned red, or too cold if he turned blue. To use a thermometer is the only absolutely safe method.
The following table is given merely as a guide—not as a rule to be followed in every case:—

Bath Temperature for Different Ages

AGE DEGREES, F.
At birth 98–100
During first three or four weeks 95
One to six months 92.5
Six to twelve months 90
One to two years 85
Then gradually reduce in summer to 80
In the third or fourth year, if possible, reduce to 75 or 70
Some little children would react well to a brief application of water at a temperature even lower than this.

Order of Procedure

All preparations having been made, the baby should be undressed, and wrapped in a soft, warm blanket.
The face is first washed in clear, warm water, then dried with a soft towel. Use the wash basin and one of the sponges or Turkish gloves in cleaning the face.
The angles of the eyes, ears, and nose should be gently cleansed. No attempt should be made to crowd anything into the ears for the purpose of cleansing them internally, as it is really quite unnecessary, and injury may result therefrom.
It is, however, very essential that the nostrils be kept clean. If this is neglected, and especially if baby has a cold, secretions dry in the nose, seriously obstructing respiration. Perhaps the safest and easiest method of cleansing is to use a bulb syringe wholly composed of soft rubber, gently forcing a little cool 'normal salt solution' into one nostril, and allowing it to flow out of the other. In making this solution add one slightly rounded teaspoonful of table salt to one pint of water. It is absolutely necessary that this direction be followed carefully; for if too much or too little salt is used, the solution is very irritating to the nasal mucous membrane. The child's head should be held slightly forward during this cleansing process. No mother need fear to adopt this measure, as it is quite free from danger (if employed as directed), and accomplishes much good in preventing a catarrhal condition of the nose. While it may not be necessary to thus cleanse the nose every day, it should certainly be done whenever there is any indication of a cold or of dried secretions in the nostrils. This normal salt solution is also excellent for cleansing the eyes.
Having performed these offices for baby, his scalp should be washed with soap, rinsed with clear water, and then dried.
Using the other glove, the body and extremities are then thoroughly soaped, giving special attention to the folds around the neck and groin.
Having ascertained that the bath temperature is correct, the little one is now gently lowered into the water. His head is supported by the left arm of the nurse, her hand grasping his left shoulder to prevent his slipping down into the water. After remaining in the bath one or two minutes, he is lifted out, and is wrapped in a warm, soft towel, and then quickly but gently dried.
Baby should now be warm and rosy, showing that a healthy reaction has taken place.
When the skin is perfectly soft and clear, no powder is needed; but as it is so difficult to dry the skin with the required thoroughness, it is usually safest to use a good toilet powder. A mixture consisting of starch and talcum, equal parts, and one fourth the quantity of boric acid does very well.
And now another word in behalf of baby's comfort. His tender skin often becomes painfully chafed because of neglect regarding his napkins.
To avoid this condition, his body must be kept scrupulously clean, and his napkins changed as soon as they are soiled.
Napkins made of butter muslin are less irritating and wash much more easily than the harsh and heavier materials often selected for this purpose.