HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 49, 4 July 1947, Page 8

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

UMBILICAL HERNIA (By the Department of Health) A not uncommon form of rupture or hernia in babies is a bulging through the umbilicus or navel—the spot of attachment of the umbilical cord. After birth the stump of the cord usually heals nicely leaving a firm scar. Sometimes there’s a weakness in this healing over. Then too much straining, increasing the internal pressure in the abdomen, may cause a pouting through the weak scar—bouts of coughing, constipation, constant crying, or periodical vomiting may be the exciting cause. The rupture is a soft swelling through the navel and is easily pushed back, returning as soon as the pressure is removed. It does not distress the infant in any way. Not so long ago there was an idea that the abdominal binder must be used for every baby as it prevented ruptures. It really worked the other way, teaching back and abdominal muscles to be lazy when used for any length of time, and encouraging rather than preventing ruptures. A binder is to be used to keep the cord dressing in place until healing occurs, for about seven to ten days usually. Should your baby have an umbilical rupture, remember that it won’t be causing any pain, and the chances are good that it will be self-cur-ing . before the first birthday, and may even disappear naturally up to the second or third birthday. If it has not gone by this time a surgeon’s advice should be taken. To assist natural recovery a flat pad of lint should be put over the navel after the swelling has been pushed back into the abdomen. Keep the pad in place with adhesive strapping. The muscles on either side of the navel should be drawn together when the strapping is put in place. Then on letting the skin free, the strapping will be under slight tension and will press the pad firmly against the navel. Be sure to use a flat pad of lint—nothing shaped to enter the weak spot in- the navel, and by entering, tending to prevent the naval from closing.

A TODDLER’S ROUTINE Between the first and third birthday, the baby has become a toddler very dependent *n a regular routine to develop health habits. Most mothers stick to a routine for baby care with Plunket help, but too many, once they cease attending Plunket rooms, fail to pay enough attention to regularity of sleeping, eating, resting and visiting the lavatory. Between three and five years this may be corrected if the child goes to a kindergarten or day nursery, but it shouldn’t be left to outsiders to develop a routine of healthy living.. They should only have to carry- on what was begun in the home. A toddler’s day should be something like this. Rising hour depends on breakfast—half an hour before the meal. In that half hour before breakfast, the toddler visits the lavatory, washes hands and face, and dresses, the toddler’s assistance being developed when an active youngster will be looking better after a general cleanup.

Breakfast at 7.30 or 8 a.m. should include half of the whole day’s ration of fish liver oil or substitute—if two doses are given the other will be at the evening meal. After breakfast the bathroom visit for cleaning teeth and for a bowel motion must be insisted on, followed by washing hands. If this is made a regular routine, at the same time each day, lifelong good bowel action will be established. Up to 10 a.m. play in the open air on fine days is the thing, followed by a drink of milk and a piece of apple. Then the morning sleep. Dinner is preceded by a lavatory visit, washing hands and face. If an afternoon sleep is preferred to a morning one, the toddler now goes down to sleep till 3 p.m., after which he’ll have his milk and fruit. There’s no harm in a morning nap, too. This could be turned into a sunbath as the child gets bigger and needs less sleep. Till 5 p.m. is playtime outside unless wet. From 5 p.m. or 5.30 undress. Visit lavatory and have a bath, followed by tea, washing hands and brushing teeth, story-time and bed not later than 6.30.

This routine builds health habit children.