OUR BABIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2740, 19 February 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

OUR BABIES.

(By “Hygeia.”)

Published under the auspices of the Society ■ for the Promotion of the "Health of Women and Children.

REGULARITY OF FEEDING

One of the hardest things possible is to induce a mother to wake her baby (if he happens, to be. asleep) when feeding time comes round. Slie says at once, “Oil, I should never dream of waking him; it is hard enough to- get him to sleep, and So long as he is asleep he is all right.” Thus she goes on until frequently the baby turns night into day so far as sleep is concerned. One sympathises with the harassed mother who has no knowledge of how to look after her baby, and merely drifts along, following the path of least- resistance, recking little of the mass of trouble she is piling up for herself as her baby gradually gets- more and more out of hand.

However, one cannot help feeling strongly that tlio expectant mother ought to b© in a better position to cope with her difficulties. Even where education in girlhood lias been as faulty as it usually is—where, there has been little or no attention paid to observance and uiidersanding of the laws of health—there is still a sufficiently long period before the baby comes in which to make some kind of reasonable preparation, and find out how best to look after tlio expected little one. This time, is usually occupied in preparing baby-clothes—a great many of them unnecessary and a positive disadvantage to the infant. The material clothing is not expected to come out of the. “everywhere” with the baby, and preparations in this respect are made before his arrival; but lew women realise that any other kind of preparation is required. “When baby comes it will be time enough to think of these things”—“the maternal instinct will be a sure and sufficient guide”—such ar© the time-worn phrases reiterated by women in spite of the repeated failures met with at every turn. Only yesterday two mothers, each with her first baby, said to me: “You see, I really don’t know anything about babies”— and the tone and manner of the admission in one case at least conveyed the impression that this state of ignorance was regarded as rather interesting than otherwise- —it left open such unbounded possibilities for both mother and child! THE SOCIETY’S TEACHING.

Since the society started work much more attention has been directed to this most necessary subject, but though much has been done, we have only touched the margin, and there is still a wide field for the spread of true 'Knowledge concerning motherhood. Wily don't more of the expectant mothers of Dunedin go to the Karitane Hospital, and have a quiet chat with tlio matron, especially those who will be mothers for the first time? There are practically no women who could uot make the time for such a visit. There is no period in life when a woman would benefit- so much by a- confidential talk witlwu sensible fellow-woman capable of giving sound and reliable practical advice as when she is expecting to become a mother. The teaching at the Karitane Hospital is not conliued to one phase of motherhood more than another, but the institution presents special facilities for showing in a practical way everything concerning the proper care of babies, and the steps which are necessary to ensure this—not only after, but for mouths before the baby is born. Half the ills of babyhood are due to the mother not having done full justice to her health before childbirth, especially in such matters as the proper forms of exorcise to ensure strength and fitness of the- abdominal muscles, the wearing of the right kind of clothing, duo attention to tlio breasts and nipples, bathing, tho regulation ofe habits as to feeding, exercise, movements of the bowels, etc. Young married women have usually abundant leisure, and the outing would be most beneficial to themselves and their unborn infants. If any feel disinclined to sco ailing babies, it is quite unnecessary that they should even look at such. Tho matron would willingly advise them how to order their lives so that they and their babies might be stronger and healthier, and she would demonstrate any points of interest (such as the best way to wash, dress, or handle the baby) with one who had recovered sufficiently. Visitors see how the babies live in the fresh, free-flowing ouside nir day and night, and also lioW regularity of habits can be ensured. If they visit the Hospital frequently they will see how spoilt, crying babies can bo trained into such good habits that they give little or no trouble. Such lessons should be invaluable to them, and when their own babies came they would not feci go helpless. ’ The Karitane Hospital exists as a teaching centre for mothers, and mother’s helpers, just as much as for the. training of nurses, and the care of the babies wlio are sent there.

THE SOCIETY’S NEW, BOOK

For those who have not the advantage of the Karitanc Hospital within reach, the Society’s new book on the Feeding and Care of the Baby, if studied with care and intelligence, will serve as a reliable guide. This book will take the place of the old pamphlet, and will be illustrated with photographs specially taken to make clear the various points. AVe hope it will be ready towards the end of the month. Tlie following extract froni it emphasises the necessity for training the child early in regular habits:—

FEEDING BY THE CLOCK. The importance of establishing and practising perfect regularity in the feeding times for babies is so great, and the prejudice against waking an infant if he happens to tlie asleep when feeding time comes, round is So widespread, that it is necessary to specially insist on the point. There is no doubt whatever as to the duty of mother and nurse in this matter.

The loading authorities of the day— English foreign and American—all agree that the first tiling to establish in life is regularity of habits. The mother who “can’t be so cruel” as to wake her sleeping baby, if 110 happens to be asleep, at the appointed feedingtime, fails to realise that a few such wakings would be all she would: ever have to resort to. At tlie dawn of life a day or. two of regular feeding, with proper intervals (no baby needs to be fed more often than every three hours —after five! months of age babies do better if fed every four hours), nearly always suffices to establish a clocklike regularity of the rhythm of alternate sleeping and feeding. The newborn: babe should always sleep ninetentlis of his time. At perfectly regular intervals the infant should wake, feed, and drop off to sleep again—indeed, he is often half asleep for tlie last few minutes of his feeding. Babies who are regularly and properly fed tend to sleep like dormice, digest their food well, and are infinitely more can-

tented and happj' than those Avhosc mothers are irregular' and unsystematic.

In making out a time-table the mother should be guided by the “Table for Feeding” and the “Clock. 1 Faces” (pictured in the book). Having put down on paper the- hours at Avhich her baby should be fed and the quantities to be given at each feeding, the mother must strictly adhere to this until the time comes for making a change, Avhen she should Avrite out another time-table. It is amazing Jioav much time mothers waste and how much trouble and nervous irritation they giv© themselves and their babies under tho mistaken notion that feeding should take place o\ r ery tAVo or tAvo and adialf hours. All modern experience goes to proA r e conclusively that even during the first month every three hours during the day is best. Night-feeding is not necessary, but may be practised for a month or tAvo. At the Karitane Baby Hospital and all over the Dominion, through the agency of the Society’s nurses, these ne.Aver methods have been practised throughout the past year, and tlio results have sliOAvn indubitably that infants- thrive better Avith the longer inteiwals between feedings.