The band is put on firmly and with even pressure, but not tightly. It is a mistake to think that a tight band strengthens the baby’s abdominal muscles, for it has quite the opposite tendency and in addition may give pain and even cause vomiting. The band is removed every morning at the time of the bath, or whenever it is soiled, but the cord dressing is not usually taken off unless it is soiled. When the cord finally drops off, the straight flannel binder is replaced by a knitted band with shoulder straps. This is usually worn for three or four months, particularly in cold weather, to provide a little extra warmth over the abdomen. Thin, delicate babies sometimes need this band for a year or more. [Illustration: FIG. 54.—Putting on the diaper which has been folded straight through the middle. ] After the band has been applied, the warmed shirt is put on and then the diaper. There are two methods of putting on the diaper. One is to fold the square diagonally and bring the diagonal fold around the baby’s waist. One of the lower corners is drawn up between the thighs, the two corners from the sides brought over this, straight across the waistline and not carried down between the thighs. The fourth corner is brought up over these and all are pinned securely with a safety-pin, while two other safety-pins hold the margins of the diaper together above the knees. The other method is to fold the diaper straight through the center, forming a rectangle twice as long as it is wide; to lay the baby on it lengthwise, draw the lower half up between his thighs as shown in Fig. 54, and pin it on each side at the waistline and above the knees. (See Fig. 55.) In either case the diaper must be put on smoothly and care taken to avoid forming a thick pad between the thighs as this will tend to curve the bones of legs, which, as you know, are still soft. Squares of soft, absorbent material, which may be burned, when soiled, placed inside the diapers will greatly facilitate the laundry work. [Illustration: FIG. 55.—How the diaper in Fig. 54 looks after it has been put on. ] The baby’s diaper should be changed whenever it is wet or soiled, for in addition to making him restless and fretful for the time being, the skin about the thighs and buttocks will grow red and chafed if he is allowed to wear wet diapers. Wet diapers should not be dried and used again but washed with mild soap, boiled and whenever possible, dried in the open air and sunshine. All of this makes it apparent that the regular use of waterproof protectors is to be condemned since a baby so protected may wear a wet diaper for some time before it is discovered. Under special circumstances such as a drive, a short journey or visit the diaper may be covered by waterproof drawers but their habitual use will make the baby unhappy and uncomfortable and may even result in a serious condition of the skin.