Your baby; a guide for young mothers

Front matter

E.B. LOWRX M.D.

Class

Book

Preface

It is estimated that nearly half the babies born into this world die before they are a year old. Statistics prove that the great majority of these die of some intestinal trouble, that their deaths might have been prevented by proper care, especially in regard to feeding.

The mothers of these babies could not be blamed for this lack of intelligent care, for they gave the best they knew how to give. The blame lies deeper, for the mothers never had received any training for their very important work of motherhood.

In some countries every able-bodied man is required to serve three years of military service. In this way the country hopes, in time of war, to be prepared with efficient men to protect its inhabitants and their homes. Some one has suggested that, to prepare for the protection of the future generation in time of peace, women should be required to pass through a period of training lasting just as long, but devoting themselves to the study of the care of children, hygiene and nursing. Even women who never become mothers themselves, in this way,

PREFACE

would learn the general principles of psychology, hygiene and the care of the sick, which they might make use of in any station of life. Medical certificates regarding the capacity for marriage certainly are of more importance than those for military service.

Many untrained individuals have wrong ideas concerning what constitutes proper care of children. They are liable to go to one of two extremes. Either they are over-indulgent or they are too severe. The one disregards all rules of hygiene and refuses to conform to any regulations " because the baby does not want it." The undeveloped child is allowed to eat and sleep when it pleases, to follow its own caprice in all matters without regard to the effect upon its health or without consideration for the remainder of the family. The other extremist is over-anxious concerning every detail of the child's life. The over-watched child is not allowed to drink one drop more than the rules prescribe. A variation of a few minutes in its hours of sleeping is watched with concern. The baby is wrapped and toasted and kept so like a hothouse flower that it does not develop any power of resistance. One of these extremes is as bad as the other. A great deal of judgment and common sense, with a foundation of knowledge, is necessary for the proper care of

PREFACE

babies. It sometimes is a matter of surprise that young mothers do not make more mistakes, considering their lack of training and experience. In no other line of work do we throw such great responsibilities upon the untrained worker. It is strange that in our great system of public education no provision is made to train girls for their great work in life. There is no reason why the proper care of babies should not be a required study in school. It certainly would be of much more practical and economic benefit in later life than many of the subjects that now are required.

The present-day mothers who realize how handicapped they are by lack of knowledge of babies, should insist that their daughters do not suffer from the same lack. Whatever the mothers of the country demand should be taught in the schools will be placed in the curriculum.

But for those young mothers who have passed beyond the school age before the needed changes in education have taken place, this little book is sent forth with the hope that it may aid many a young mother to bring up her child to its rightful heritage of health and happiness.

Part I The Mother Iapter Page

I The Well Born Child 17

Preparing for the child. — Heredity. — Prenatal influences. — The sex of the baby.

II When Hopes Become Real 29

Symptoms of Pregnancy. — Probable date of labor. — Engaging the physician and nurse.

III Painless Childbirth 34

Twilight Sleep.

IV The Necessary Preparations 54

What to prepare for baby. — The maternity outfit.

V Care of the Prospective Mother 62

Clothing. — Exercise and work. — The necessity of daily bathing. — Breasts and nipples. — Rest and sleep. — The teeth. — Diet. — The bowels. — Sewing for the baby. — Mental condition.

VI Accidents and Incidents of Pregnancy ... 75 Nausea and vomiting. — Sleeplessness. — Fainting. — Constipation. — The kidneys. — Swelling of the legs and feet. — Irritability of the bladder.

VII The Period of Labor 82

What to do when labor commences. — What to take to the hospital. — Child bed fever. — After care of the patient.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

VIII The Young Mother 91

General care. — Exercise for the mother. — The mother's rest. — Nursing the baby. — To increase the milk. — Bone forming diet.

PART II THE BABY IX First Care of the Baby 107

The first thing to be done. — To prevent blindness.

— Care of the mouth. — The cord. — The first bath. — Dressing the baby.

X Weight, Growth and Development . . . .119 The weight of the baby. — What the baby knows when it is born. — What the baby learns the first year. — What the baby learns the second year.

XI General Care of the Baby 129

The baby's tub bath. — Sex toilet. — Powdering the baby. — The baby's sleep. — The baby's rest.

— Baby's bed. — Exercise for the baby. — Fresh air for the baby. — Care of the teeth. — Shoes for the baby. — The night clothes. — Diapers. — How long should baby wear bands.

XII What, When and How to Feed the Baby . . 154 The best food for baby. — Modified milk. — Sugar in the baby's milk. — Supplementary feeding for the baby.— The older baby. — Selecting the baby's bottle and nipple. — Do not feed too much. — Care of the baby's bottle. — Water for the baby. — Teas and soothing syrups. — Beware of these baby killers. — Weaning the baby. — The older child.

XIII Intestinal Disorders 176

Constipation. — Massage for constipation. — Summer diarrhoea. — Colic.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

XIV Some Common Disorders 186

Jaundice of the new born. — Night terrors. — Bed wetting. — Spina bifida. — Thumb sucking habit.

— Eczema. — Sleeplessness. — Birth marks. — Stuttering. — Ear ache. — Cross eyes. — ■ Holding breath spells. — Knock knees, pigeon toes. — Bow legs.

XV Accidents and Diseases of Childhood . . .207 When baby has croup. — Colds. — Pneumonia. — Measles. — . Mumps. — Whooping cough. — Scarlet fever. — When baby becomes burned. — Be careful of drugs. — Look twice before giving any medicine. — Do not keep unlabeled bottles.

XVI The Discipline of Children 227

How to spoil the baby. — The secret of discipline.

— Suggestion during babyhood. — Training children while they sleep. — Habits of regularity. — Fear in children.

PART I — THE MOTHER

The bearing and training of a child Is woman's wisdom.

Tennyson.

PART I — THE MOTHER CHAPTER I

It is safe to say that until recently few people had any definite idea of what was meant by the science of eugenics. By some it was looked upon as a passing fad which soon would run its course and be forgotten. Recently, though, the real meaning of the word has been so brought to the attention of the general public that now nearly every one has some opinion on this vast subject.

Sir Francis Galton, who coined the word " eugenics," defined it as " the science which deals with all influences that improve the inborn qualities of the race." We know that farmers have found it necessary not only to attend to the growing plants but to select the seeds from which they are grown, 17 and that stock raisers have found it necessary to give strict attention to breeding in order to improve the quality of the domestic animals.

Considering these two facts, thinking people have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to give some thought to the conditions surrounding the birth of children. Every child lias a right to be well born, to have a birthright of good health, freedom from inherited taints and to be endowed with an unblemished brain and nervous system. Any one who deprives a child of this heritage should be treated as a criminal.

Preparing for the Child

The preparations for the birth of a child should commence several generations before its conception. As it is impossible for us to regulate the lives of our ancestors the best we can do is to commence with the present generation.

Young men and women should be impressed with the fact that while so-called social position should not be of great weight in the selection of a mate, yet the mental and physical condition of the ancestors of the future husband or wife should be considered, for feeblemindedness and some diseases are transmissible by inheritance. One should investigate the 18 quality of the family into which he or she is marrying.

Every child has a right to be well born. An undesired child never should be brought into the world. An undesired child, or a child of parents who are not in good bodily or mental condition comes into the world with an inheritance that perhaps never is overcome.

Heredity

The question of heredity has received considerable attention during recent years. As a result, many of our old time theories have undergone a decided change. Many of the diseases that formerly were thought to be acquired through inheritance we now know to be contracted through lack of care or through association. The only inheritance is possibly a tendency to a disease and a diminished power of resistance. It is a law of pathology that the diseases of the parents, who suffer from certain serious, chronic maladies, create in the offspring a condition of defective life shown in malformations or in altered nutrition. The hereditary influence of most diseases is shown in the transmission to the child of a defective body shown by feebleness or a diminished power of resisting disease. 19

Tuberculosis, which once was considered hereditary, now is known to be transmitted by a germ which may be found in the sputum or expectoration of the patient. It is not well for a person with tuberculosis to bear children, for the child of such a parent probably would inherit a weak constitution which would make it a ready prey to the disease. Then, if it were constantly associated with one who has tuberculosis, it probably would become a victim of the disease.

There is one disease, known as one of the social .diseases, which is truly inherited. This disease. syphilis, may be inherited from either parent. In many cases the disease is transmitted by the father when the mother escapes infection. The inheritance seems to manifest itself chiefly in a disordered nutrition. Even during the first few months of development, this may be so effective as to destroy life. If life is not destroyed, the nutritional processes may be so affected that the pregnancy will result in the birth of a defective child. These children, perhaps fortunately, usually die during the first few months of their lives. Seldom do they live to maturity. Many children who seem to have escaped this inherited trait really have not done so, but their inheritance is not recognized. Some individuals with 20 defective generative organs owe this to a diseased parent. Others suffering from a chronic skin disorder, and many afflicted with epilepsy or some brain malformation could trace their inheritance to the same source.

Prenatal Influences

Heredity is that law by which permanent and settled qualities of the parent, or of some remote ancestors, reappear in the child. But other forces than heredity are at work, too, and these forces which modify heredity are called prenatal. The manner by which the influence is produced by the father is obscure but the seed seems stamped with the imprint of his temporary condition of mind or body so that these qualities also have a place in determining the character of the offspring. The children of drunken fathers often are degenerates.

It is a well known fact that certain mental conditions influence the physical body. Fear has turned hair white and anger has caused apoplexy. If fear and anger have such disastrous effects on the human body, love and happiness may be expected to have just the opposite effects.

The unborn child is nourished directly from the mother's blood. If the mother's mental condition 21 can affect her own physical body, it is logical to expect that her mental condition can affect that which is a part of her, namely her unborn child. A woman, who does not desire children and who, when she finds one is inevitable, rebels and, in her heart, longs for an accident to happen to it, certainly does not give the child an enviable impression. The ancient Greeks surrounded the prospective mother with beautiful paintings and statues so as to give a mental impression of beauty to the future generation. They were noted as a beautiful race.

The expectant mother should give her child all possible advantages of a good mental impression, and, during its prenatal life, the mother should think nothing but loving and wholesome thoughts. She should train her mind in habits that she wishes to impress upon the child. She should cultivate habits of system, she should cultivate a correct taste and ear for music. Her surroundings should be artistic but simple. She should live as close to Nature as possible.

The mother's own physical health cannot help but affect her child ; therefore the mother should take those measures that will promote the health of her body. In ancient Sparta the women exercised in the gymnasium in order to obtain the highest possible bodily vigor in preparation for the function of motherhood. The Spartans were noted as a race of exceptionally strong men. But the mother should be careful not to take any violent exercise during the prenatal period. Swimming and walking are two of the best general exercises that can be taken. Housework, with the exception of the heavy lifting and scrubbing, is a valuable exercise. The expectant mother needs a large amount of fresh air, so she should plan to spend several hours a day in the open air. It is well for her to sleep out-of-doors, if possible, otherwise she should sleep in a room with wide open windows.

The influence of the health, occupations, desires and thoughts of the expectant mother upon her unborn child cannot be overestimated. At what period the greatest influence is exerted only can be a matter of conjecture. Some who have given this matter considerable thought have decided that during the first three months of the embryo the laws for physical perfection are especially in force. Students of embryology know that during this period there are the greatest structural changes and that by the end of this period the body is practically perfect, only waiting to be developed and strengthened. Therefore these scientists have deducted that it is the in- 23 fiuence of the first three months that impresses future physical integrity, although this theory has not been proven. According to this the mother who is strong and well during the first three months of her pregnancy will produce a child well formed and full of endurance, while the overworked mother produces a child who is ever tired and who has little strength of resistance. Hence the expectant mother always should stop working before she has reached the point of fatigue. She never should become tired. The entire period of pregnancy should be a period of increased mental and physical vigor just as it was in primitive days. From the moment that pregnancy is suspected it is the bounden duty of every woman to take intelligent care of herself and to strive by every means in her power to secure for her baby its birthright of health. And it is the bounden duty of her husband to urge her to do so and to give her his intelligent care.

As soon as she is aware of her condition, if she has not done so before, the expectant mother should go to her family physician and have a thorough physical examination and then proceed to correct any abnormal conditions.

It is very common for young women who have stood long hours day after day in the school room, 24 store or office to have some displacement or inflammation of the uterus which seriously affects their general health. Every one of these disorders is liable to become accentuated during pregnancy if not corrected in the beginning. Not long ago I had occasion to examine a young wife who had excessive vomiting following conception. An examination revealed considerable inflammation which responded readily to proper treatment, and the young expectant mother soon found herself in much better health than she had been for a long time. It is much better to give some care to placing the body in perfect health at the beginning of this period than it is to suffer from avoidable troubles for many months.

The second three months of the unborn child are considered by some to be the period during which the mental capacity of the child is influenced ; therefore during this period the mother should be moderately active intellectually.

The last three months have been considered to be the moral prenatal period.

A woman's enthusiasm during the entire nine months should be shared and appreciated by her husband. Probably the fact that it is not is the cause of the silence and misunderstanding in so many homes.

The mental condition of both the father and 2 5 mother some little time before conception also helps to determine the character of the offspring.

The Sex of the Baby

Statisticians tell us that the sexes are practically equal in number, taking the world as a whole. They sometimes advance this as proof that Nature arranges matters quite as they should be, and that interference on our part is unnecessary. Some even go so far as to say that human interference on our part would be interference with God's plans. This reasoning, however, does not appeal to intelligent people. God or Nature, whichever one may choose to call it, has given us intelligence with which to overcome harmful natural laws, and it is our privilege as well as our duty, to use that intelligence to preserve harmony in any given condition, — in this of sex as well as in all others.

God has given us laws of gravitation, laws of heat and cold, laws of health and disease, laws of procreation. Does a man, therefore, not try to support his roof? Does he not artificially warm his house? Does he not bear upon disease the knowledge of medical science? Shall he then blindly obey the wild law of procreation, seeking to bring no light upon this one paramount law of life? It is 26 said that the great superfluity of female births in civilized countries is due to the inertia of the parents, through the unhygienic laws of our social life, and that this is true not only of human beings but also of domestic animals. This may not be correct, but certainly there is some subtle reason for this inequality of the sexes, and if science should discover a way to adjust matters in such a manner as to bring about equality, it will be better for the world.

There are a great many theories in regard to the determination of the sex of the baby. One is that the diet of the mother before conception has considerable influence. It is claimed that in times of plenty there are more girls than boys born. As proof of this it is instanced that following the Siege of Paris nearly all babies born were boys. Another example is that bees feed the larvae especially when they wish a queen bee.

The time of the month at which conception takes place is considered by others to have an influence upon the sex of the offspring. If conception takes place soon after the cessation of menstruation, the child is more liable to be a girl, while if it takes place just before a menstrual period the child is liable to be a boy.

Mental impressions are considered by some to 27 have an influence in determining the sex. The ancient women gazed at statues of Hercules or of the God Apollo when they wished a male child. The Bible story of Jacob and the peeled rods placed before the sheep when they came to drink is given as another instance in proof of mental impression.

The determination of the sex of the baby before birth is at most only a conjecture. There is no positive way in which one can predict whether the coming baby is a girl or a boy. We frequently hear that the size of the abdomen may be taken as a guide, but this is not true, for the size of the abdomen varies with the amount of liquor amni (water in which the baby floats), the condition of the muscles, and with the number of offspring. Twins may account for an unusual size to the abdomen.

By the aid of a stethoscope a physician can count the foetal heart beats and their rate is a fair guide to ascertaining sex, for boy babies, as a rule, have a slower pulse rate than girls.

Chapter II When Hopes Become Real

The first question that occurs to the prospective mother is what are the signs and symptoms, the natural accompaniments of her condition.

Symptoms of Pregnancy

Some of the symptoms of pregnancy are the suppression of the menses (monthlies) with morning sickness sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting at different periods of the day. Usually there is a darkening of the areola (brown ring surrounding the nipple). Later there will be an enlargement of the abdomen. There may be an inability of the bladder to retain the urine, and later a secretion of milk in the breasts. One of the more significant signs which occurs about the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy is "quickening" or the feeling of life. This usually is described as the sensation of fluttering.

Probable Date of Labor

The average duration of the period of waiting for the expectant mother is nine calendar or ten lunar months. To find the probable date of confinement, count back three months from the date of the close of the last menstrual period and to this date add seven days. For example, if the last menstrual period ended December seventh, we count back three months which gives us September seventh, then adding seven days we have September fourteenth as the probable date of confinement. With the first child, confinement may come a week or two early.

When the date of the last period is not known, the best method is to reckon from the first time movement is felt, or from the period of quickening. This occurs about the seventeenth week, so if we count four and a half months from this date we are nearly correct. Of course the date obtained by either method is not absolutely correct but usually it is within a week of the exact date.

Engaging the Physician and Nurse

As soon as the expectant mother is aware of her condition she should engage the physician and nurse. It is well to consult with the former before engaging the latter, for the physician has a good oppor- 30

WHEN HOPES BECOME REAL

tunity to be able to judge of the qualifications of the nurse. Many a nurse is excellent in certain classes of cases but unsatisfactory in others. The obstetric nurse needs to be especially fitted for this work; for she will have two patients instead of one, and it depends upon her to a great extent whether the care of the baby is to be a pleasure or a great burden to the young mother. The first ten days of a baby's life are the most important of its existence. During this ten days, habits are established that it will take months to change. If the baby is started right, its care will not be a burden. A baby can be so spoiled during this first ten days that it will demand almost constant attention day and night. If it is held in the arms very much during this time it will demand the same treatment later, but if during this time it is put to sleep, as it should be, in a separate bed and left undisturbed between feedings it becomes accustomed to these regular habits and the mother will find that the later care is much easier. During this first ten days, regular hours for feeding should be established and the baby should be trained to require little attention at night. The mother needs her rest at night in order to be strong enough to furnish good milk for her baby and give it the proper care. The thoroughly qualified ob- 3i stetric nurse takes pride in establishing right habits for the baby and it is she who is largely responsible for the kind of habits formed by the baby. So it becomes very important to engage the right nurse for this very important period.

Physicians, also, vary in their ability on these cases. Some physicians make a specialty of this obstetrical work, while others avoid it as much as possible because they prefer to give their energies to other lines of practice. So it is important for the expectant mother to inquire carefully in regard to the physician engaged for this event.

At the first consultation, the physician should make a thorough examination to determine if there is any deformity, or any condition that needs correction. At this time, also, he will give her general directions as to her care. From this time on she should report to the physician at least once a month so that he may keep a close watch of her general health. At each of these visits, she should take with her a specimen of urine to be examined. This urine should be the first that is passed in the morning and should be placed in a bottle that has been boiled previously. By an examination of the urine, the physician can determine the condition of the kidneys, which quite frequently are affected during this 32

WHEN HOPES BECOME REAL

period. If he finds any deviation from the normal he can correct it before it has proceeded far enough to cause serious trouble. Many cases of eclampsia, or convulsions, might thus have been avoided.

All during the nine months the expectant mother should consider her physician as her chief adviser. Whenever any question comes up that affects her health or the health of her child she should ask his advice rather than that of the various women in the neighborhood, many of whom, though well meaning, have entirely wrong ideas and may give the wrong advice. Just because a woman has had several children does not make her competent to advise others, for she may have given her own children such improper care that several of them died or were sickly. Over half the deaths among babies are due to improper care.

At any time that the mother notices any unusual occurrence or symptoms she should consult the physician at once. The office of a physician should be that of a trusted adviser, and during this period of a woman's life she should feel free to consult with him whenever she desires. There are many disturbances of the general health which may be corrected by a little care, perhaps only a regulation of the diet will be necessary. 33

Chapter III

Much of the pain and danger incident to child bearing can be prevented if the mother is given proper care both before and during labor. The early care seems to have been overlooked to a great extent. In these days of modern surgery and antiseptic measures it is possible to do many things that would have been hazardous a few years ago. In some cases of deformed pelvis where it would be impossible to give birth to a living child at full term, it is possible by the induction of premature labor or Cesarean section to save the child without added danger to the mother, yet these wonderful feats concern only a few women. The simple laws of hygiene are more important to the majority.

Childbirth is a natural process and should be attended with little pain or danger. Yet many women are made invalids for life from lack of proper care both before and after this event. To get up im- 34 mediately after labor may seem very wonderful. We wonder at, perhaps admire, the squaw who picks up her newly born babe and follows the trail. When we come to know more about these women we find no reason to emulate them. They are harmed by their customs. Many die. Practically all have permanent disorders. When we come to know all the facts, we find nothing left to commend except the stoicism with which they endure the harm resulting from their bad methods.

The changes undergone by a woman during the weeks after labor are far reaching. Consider one — the abdominal muscles which have been stretched for months. In order that these muscles shall get back to where they were before, they must have care. A few days of planned exercises and care will accomplish much. Work does not accomplish the purpose.

Many women consider that the services of a physician are needed only at the time of labor, yet this really is only a small part in comparison with the care needed before and after. The various " natural " healers achieve their success in painless childbirth because of the fact that the expectant mother is prepared properly for the interesting event.