=Diapers.= Diapers should be made of bird’s-eye linen, cotton, or stockinet. For a young baby they should measure about eighteen or twenty inches square and be folded but once. Never use a folded inside diaper, as a wad of thick material between the legs is injurious. A small inside folded cloth five inches square may be used, or a quilted pad about ten inches square may be laid under the baby after the diaper is on. This pad will protect the skirts from urine. During the mother’s waking hours the diaper should be changed as often as it is wet or soiled. In the night it should be changed when the baby is taken up for feeding or if he is restless. All diapers should be washed each time after they become wet. The soap used in washing them should be carefully rinsed out, and they should be boiled thoroughly at least twice a week. A careless soaking and wringing through one or two waters is not an adequate cleansing. Care must be taken in selecting the soap to be used in washing the diapers, since some soaps will cause an irritation of the skin, even when the clothing has been well rinsed. =Stockings.= It is important to keep the baby’s legs and feet warm. Stockings and diapers should meet. In cold weather the baby should wear stockings; in summer he will not require any covering for his feet. =Short clothes.= The baby should be put into short clothes about the fifth month, for at that time he begins to show signs of wanting to use his legs and to kick. It is not wise, however, to make this change during very cold weather. =Clothing in summer.= The greatest care should be taken to see that the baby is not dressed too warmly in summer. Too heavy clothing whether in summer or in winter will make him perspire too freely and render him more liable to colds and bowel troubles. The mother should feel of his body occasionally; if she finds it constantly moist, the clothing is too warm. In summer only the thinnest undershirts should be worn, and warmer outer garments should be added as it grows cool toward night. Light-weight knitted or crocheted jackets are easily made. =Clothing in winter.= Clothing should always be adapted to the season. If the baby is not dressed warmly enough, he will have cold hands and feet, and his legs and arms will be bluish. A baby must have fresh air, but his body must be kept warm. This is most important; unless this is done his vital force will be lessened and he will not gain as he should. When taken out he must be warmly dressed with a long woolen or wool-lined coat with a shoulder cape. In cold weather a silk cap with a lining of wool is best. Take care that the neck of the coat and the cap ribbons are not too tight. Leggings will be necessary after the baby is in short clothes. CHAPTER IX HABITS AND TRAINING =Suggestions for demonstrations.= =1.= Demonstrate how to protect a baby from flies and mosquitoes when sleeping. =2.= Show how to support a baby over a chamber.