Baby’s Wardrobe by Eulalia S. Sisley

Review and Herald Publishing Assn. · Washington, D.C. · Dec 31, 1903

Baby’s Wardrobe

By Eulalia S. Sisley

EULALIA S. SISLEY, M. D.

COULD the average baby speak for himself, he would doubtless enter strong protest against his first wardrobe.

Although his opinions may be poorly formulated, he must be conscious of this: that whereas heretofore he was warm and comfortable, at present he is rendered quite miserable.

His respiration and digestion are hindered by tight bands, his arms and feet are insufficiently clothed, and his limbs are hampered in their movements by long, heavy skirts. He must feel, indeed, that he is entering a “vale of tears,” especially when he discovers that crying is the only language he knows, and that this language is often misinterpreted. When he expresses dissatisfaction with his state, be his complaint prompted by cold feet or by tight bands, his cry is usually answered in the same way—by more food. But this often multiplies his sorrows by aggravating the colic already initiated by the foregoing causes.

In planning the baby’s clothing, several important points should be considered, the object being to make the wardrobe as simple and as comfortable as possible.

Let it be remembered that an infant’s bones are soft and pliable, and easily molded by constricting garments.

The band as ordinarily applied brings too much pressure to bear upon the chest. Not only is full expansion of the lungs prevented, but the ribs may be pressed upon in such a way as to produce actual and permanent deformity. A knitted band is preferable because of its greater elasticity, though one made of soft flannel will do very well if not fastened too tightly about the body. The band need not be tight in order to hold the ordinary dressings in place.

The little garments should be made as light as is consistent with sufficient warmth. The long, heavy skirts, supported only by tight waist bands, are not only colic producers, but frequently cause bow legs and curvature of the spine.

Each skirt should be attached to a bodice, or else be made in the form of a slip, so that its weight may be borne by the shoulders. Thirty inches is sufficient length for such a garment, measuring from the neck.

Since the baby’s skin is as soft as velvet, the material used for its clothing should be of such texture as will not cause irritation. Also in making the garments there should be no rough seams to scratch the sensitive skin. The buttons used should be small and flat, as the pressure of large buttons would be annoying.

Perhaps the matter of greatest importance is to see that all parts of the little body are sufficiently protected from cold. Special attention should be given to the extremities, as these parts are most easily chilled. Sometimes a mother who protects herself with warm garments, thoughtlessly clothes her infant with the thinnest material, or perhaps leaves the baby’s arms and neck and feet quite bare. The idea that leaving the arms and legs unclothed will “toughen” the baby is a questionable one. Even though the child may survive the experiment, it will be at the needless expenditure of much vital energy. An infant loses relatively much more heat by radiation than does an adult, hence in the former, more vital energy is required to maintain the body temperature necessary to health.

A chilling of the extremities is conducive to colic, inflammation of the bowels, catarrh of the nose and throat, and various lung troubles. It may be stated as a general rule that a long-sleeved shirt and warm stockings should be worn by the baby all the year round. During even the warmest weather, the omission of these garments should be made with the greatest caution. Of course care should be taken to avoid the other extreme, that of overclothing the baby, as one error is about as harmful as the other. The object to be kept constantly in mind should be to clothe all parts of the body equally.

Simplify the baby’s wardrobe as far as possible, both as to the making of individual garments and the number of garments worn. This will lessen the labor of making and laundering, and will also facilitate that formidable process of dressing and undressing the baby.

Do not forget that the baby will grow, but make due allowance for this in arranging his wardrobe. If a baby is to develop symmetrically, he must never be hampered by outgrown garments.

Every child has a natural right to begin life by being dressed, fed, and cared for in harmony with nature’s laws. Upon its parents rests the responsibility of guarding this right.