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Children's Clothing

Sources: Papers On Health

An infant's clothing should be soft, warm, and

light in weight, covering all parts of the body with equal warmth.

Tight bands and long, heavy skirts should never be used, the dress and

petticoat being just long enough to keep the feet covered and warm. If

from the first a baby is "held out" always after being nursed, it

learns to urinate at that time, and the clumsy diapers can be dispensed

with in a few months. No ord
nary pins should be used, and as few

safety pins as possible. Tapes properly arranged will keep all secure.



Flannelette should never be used, being so very inflammable (see

Children's Dangers).



With infants, as with older children, it is a mistake to heap on too

much clothing. Many children by such coddling, which is intended to

prevent them catching cold, are rendered delicate and susceptible to

chills. Just enough clothing should be worn to keep the little one

comfortably warm and no more. The same applies to bed-clothes; they

should be light and not excessive, only enough to keep the child

comfortable.



Babies thoroughly enjoy a time every day without clothes, when they can

kick to their hearts' content. If this is begun by degrees, a short

time at first, gradually getting longer every day, there will be no

danger of giving the child cold through letting it lie unclothed, on a

rug on the floor for half-an-hour at a time, with the window open. The

air-bath will invigorate and strengthen the system. Rubbing with the

hand all over the little ones body during this time will be enjoyed,

and effectually prevent any chilliness, if it is dreaded.



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