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
A young baby may enjoy the fresh air in his carriage or crib on the
porch, on the roof under suitable awnings, in the yard, under the
trees, and even on the fire escape. In fact, at proper age and in
season, he may spend most of his time out of doors in the fresh air,
if he has proper protection from the sun, wind, and insects.
BEST HOURS FOR AIRING
During the balmy days of summer and early autumn, baby may spend most
of the time outdoors between seven in the morning and sunset. During
the cooler days of winter and the cool and windy days of spring, the
best hours for the airing are to be found between eleven in the
morning and three in the afternoon.
At six weeks, perhaps an hour a day in the fresh air is sufficient;
while at six months, four to six hours a day are a necessity, and from
then on--the more the better.
Now we realize that the mother of the farm household does not always
have as much time to take the baby out for his airings as many of our
city mothers; but we suggest to this busy mother that the baby be
rolled out on the porch or in the yard, within her sight and hearing,
and allowed to enjoy the fresh air while the mother continues her
work.
It is virtually a crime to try to keep baby in the kitchen, hour after
hour, while the busy mother is engaged at her tasks. A hammock, a crib
on casters, or a carriage, is just the coziest place in the world for
baby--out on the porch.
THE COUNTRY BABY
The average city baby really gets more fresh air than ninety per cent
of the country babies. Our city apartments are usually steam heated,
and our windows are open in the winter nearly as much as in the
summer. The country home is often only partially heated by two or
three stoves. The windows are closed in summer to keep out the dust,
heat, and flies, in the winter to shut out the cold, and so the baby
who lives in such a home has little chance to get fresh air.
The city mother is constantly talked to about the benefits of fresh
air. The daily paper brings its health column to her, her pastor talks
of it on Sunday, and--best of all--the older children come home from
school and reiterate the doctrine of fresh air that is constantly
being preached to them at school.
Screen the windows, rural mother, and oil the roads in front of your
residence, and then keep your windows open. Remember that baby's
health is of more value than the meadow lot or even a fortune later on
in life. Plan for a new heating plant, if necessary, so that the home
can be both warmed and ventilated during the winter.
WHEN NOT TO TAKE BABY OUT
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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