The Mother and Her ChildSadler, William S. (William Samuel)
Science
The Mother and Her Child
Sadler, William S. (William Samuel)
Child care; Infants -- Care; Infants -- Health and hygiene; Pregnancy
The head and face toilet are identical with that described before, and
with the baby undressed and wrapped in a warm towel placed inside
the warm blanket on the pillow or comfort as before mentioned, we
proceed with a good lather of castile soap and water to lather the
baby's body all over--under the arms, the neck, chest, groins, thighs,
buttocks, legs, feet, and between the toes, while the genitals also
receive their share of attention. The foreskin of the boy baby is
gently pushed back and cleansed thoroughly; while the vulva of the
little girl baby, having first been swabbed with boracic acid, is now
gently lathered and cleansed. Now grasp the ankles and legs with the
right hand and support the upper back and neck and shoulders with the
left and gently lower the baby into the water in a semi-reclining
position (See Fig. 13). The water should cover the shoulders. Keep a
good firm supporting left hand under the head, neck, and shoulders,
and with the right, rinse all soap from the body.
[Illustration: Fig. 13. Supporting the Baby for the Bath]
After this is thoroughly done, lift the baby out onto a fresh warm
towel inside the warm blanket on the pillow, and remain standing,
while you gently pat (never rub) the baby dry. All the little folds,
creases, and places between fingers and toes, are carefully patted
_dry_, and where any two skin surfaces rub together put on a bit of
talcum.
The dressing takes place in the manner already described--first the
shirt, then the band (sewed on), the diaper, stockings, skirt, and
gown.
Please note that the soap bath is contra-indicated (should not be
given) in case of eczema.
BABY'S DAILY RUB
This soap bath should be administered for cleanliness only, and should
be given twice a week. If a tub bath is to be given on other days,
after the routine head and face toilet, the baby is simply dipped into
the water and the soft skin gently rubbed.
If the sponge or tub bath is given in the afternoon just before the
long sleep at night, then the oil rub should take place before the
mid-forenoon meal; and likewise, if the sponge or tub bath is given
during the mid forenoon, then the oil rub or dry hand rub is given
before the going-to-bed time. The rub should be a daily procedure for
the first two years. Nothing rougher than the soft palm of the hand
should be rubbed on baby's soft skin.
USE AND ABUSE OF TALCUM
Babies have come to my clinic with _cakes_ of talcum under their arms,
and particularly between their thighs and in the crease of the
buttocks. Here the well-meaning but thoughtless mother had reasoned,
"a little is good; more is better" which is not always the case.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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