Coming back to dressing the baby, after his bath, we find that after the band, shirt and diaper have been adjusted the petticoat and dress are put on with the fewest possible motions and the baby’s hair brushed upward from his neck and back from the forehead. He should be wrapped in a small blanket, fed and laid quietly in his crib to sleep. If his hands and feet are cold a hot water bottle at 125° F. with a flannel cover, may be placed beside him. When the baby is made ready for the night he may have a sponge bath or simply have his face and hands sponged with warm water, according to the wishes of the doctor. The clothing which the baby has worn during the day should be entirely replaced. The day and night clothing may be worn more than once, if clean and if aired between times, but it is better not to have the baby wear the same set of clothes for twenty-four hours at a stretch. In cold weather a tape is often run through the hem of the stockinette or flannel nightgown in order that it may be drawn up, bag fashion, to keep the baby’s feet warm. During very warm weather the baby sleeps in a thin cotton slip. YOUR BABY’S CLOTHES Your baby’s clothes were made long since, of course, but a word about their use is worth while as they may be very influential in promoting the baby’s well-being. In order that his body may be kept at an even temperature the warmth of his clothing must always be adjusted to the needs of the moment. The general tendency is to dress the baby too warmly and the usual result is that he perspires; is listless, pale, and fretful; sleeps badly; is susceptible to colds and other infections and has poor recuperative powers. His digestion is likely to be deranged and he may have prickly heat. On the other hand, if the baby is not dressed warmly enough his hands and feet will be cold and his lips blue; he will cry from discomfort and the general result may be lowered vitality and disturbed digestion. If the baby’s clothes are not comfortable, if they pull and drag or have tight bands, he will be fretful and restless, with disturbed sleep and upset digestion in consequence. The little wardrobe will be entirely adequate, under ordinary conditions, if it consists of shirts, bands, diapers, flannel petticoats, dresses, nightgowns, flannel wrappers and sacques. As the petticoats and dresses are cut twenty-seven inches long, many doctors feel that they offer enough protection for the feet of the average baby to make stockings unnecessary until he is from four to six months old. The skirts are then shortened to ankle length and stockings added to the baby’s attire. Other doctors think it wiser to put knitted socks or part wool stockings on the new baby, particularly if he is born during cold weather.