HINTS FOR YOUNG MOTHERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3180, 28 March 1911, Page 7

HINTS FOR YOUNG MOTHERS.

FIRST THING TO DO FOR A COLD

As winter approaches the thoughts of the young mother turn naturally to colds and coughs; how to prevent them and what to do for them. In the firstplace do not be afraid of fresh air ; in a badly ventilated, overheated nursery a baby is more likely to catch cold than in a room full of fresh air and sunshine. The day nursery should never be allowed to become close; window boards are easily made and are within the reach of everybody; ' then, whenever the baby leaves the nursery for any length of time the windows should be thrown open top and bottom until the air is thoroughly changed. If the mother has all her work to do, and cannot use a nursery for the baby, then this same plan should be applied to the living-room or wliereever the baby spends most of liis time, It will be of benefit to all the members of the family as well as to the baby. When the baby actually has a cold the first thing to do is to give him a re«.spoonful of castor oil. This will pass some of the mucus through him, for babies cannot expectorate like older people and the mucus that forms is usually swallowed and must be got rid of through the bowels. The nasal passages of a baby are so small that they become very easily blocked; the mother must, therefore, be very careful to keep them as clean as possible or else the babv will not be able to nurse well. A little warm olive oil dropped up each nostril several times daily will soften the secretions and clear out the nose. If the mother will’ twist a small piece of absorbent cotton firmly on the end of a wooden toothpick, dip it in boric acid solution and then gently insert this a !i?cle way into each nostril she will often be able to remove some of tho mucus that clogs tlie nose. If a little cough develops, do not run to the drug store and buy nauseous “cough syrups,” but hold the baby near a boiling so that the steam from this blows in his face (but not near enough to burn him). Do this for five or ten minutes three or four times a- day and the cough will often be much helped. If there is the least wheezing on the chest, or difficult breathing, immediately put on a mustard plaster for five or ten minutes at a time, or until the skin of the chest is well -reddened. Then remove it and rub the chest with a little warm olive oil- The plaster should completely envelope the chest back and front. To make'this plaster take one tablespoonfui of mustard and six tablespoonfuls of flour, mix this up with a little cold water until it is the consistency of a cake batter, spread it between two layers -of cheesecloth or thin muslin, hold it near the fire just a minute to take the chill off, then, wrap it around the baby’s chest. —“Ladies'’ Home - Journal.”