The infant should not be disturbed. All that
should be done for it is to feed it three times a day, give it some
water from the bottle three or four times a day, and keep it clean, dry
and warm, but not hot.
Most babies are bathed daily. This is all right, but the baths are to be
given quickly. The water should be about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The
soap should be of the mildest, such as a good grade of castile, and it
should be well rinsed off, for soap permitted to remain in the pores
acts as an irritant. Dry the skin so well with a soft cloth that there
will be no chapping or roughness. Sores, eruptions and inflammations are
signs of mismanagement. Use no powders that are metallic in character,
such as zinc oxide. A dusting powder of finely ground talcum is good. If
the child is kept dry and dean and moderately fed the skin will remain
in good condition.
Babies do not thrive without good air. Keep the room well ventilated at
all times by admitting fresh air from a source that will produce no
draughts. It is not necessary to have the baby's room warm. In fact a
cool room is better. When the child is to be exposed to the air, take it
into a warm room.
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