THE NIGHT NURSERY

Evening Star, Issue 23375, 19 September 1939, Page 3

THE NIGHT NURSERY

HOW TO EQUIP IT SUITABLE DECORATION AND LIGHTING WELL-ARRANGED AND SENSIBLE FURNISHING The night nursery is a room of great importance, for unless it is well arranged and sensibly furnished the small occupants do not enjoy that healthy sleep upon which their development and growth depend. The average adult spends about one-third of his or her life in a bedroom. This proportion of time is largely increased in the case of a child. It is by no means uncommon for a healthy child to “ sleep the clock round,” as the nurses say, and, in addition, to indulge in a mid-morn-ing sleep and perhaps post-prandial nap also. Under these circumstances the importance of the night nursery cannot be overlooked.

In times of illness, when the children are imprisoned for several days or even weeks in the night nursery, the arrangement and equipment of the room become of paramount importance. If the room is ugly or uncomfortable it retards the proper growth of the small patient. If the room is cheerful, well equipped, and well arranged, conditions are more favourable for a speedy restoration to health. DECORATING THE NURSERY. The decoration of the night nursery is of importance, and in wall treatments particularly preference should be to a plain paper or distemper, and if pattern is desired it can be used in bands or in a frieze. The designs should be of a simple character, rustic scenes, friendly fairies, flowers, or butterflies. Designs which depict _ zoo animals, goblins, and even such timehonoured acquaintances as Red Riding Hood and Wolf should be taboo. They are apt, when shadows lengthen and night begins to fall, to assume alarming shapes, and may banish sleep or cause it to be disturbed by frightening dreams. The same discretion is advisable in the choice of night nursery pictures, They should always be of a restful character and depict happy_ scenes and be hung at a level convenient to the child’s eyes. The ideal night nursery floor covering is one that is easily cleaned, warm, non-slippery, and draughtproof. Cork carpet or linoleum fulfil these conditions, and should bo_ used to cover the entire floor when this is made of ordinary deal boards. It is best not to polish linoleum when used in children’s rooms, but to keep it clean by washing, care being taken not to let soapy water soak underneath. If, however, the floor is made of well-fitting boards or wood blocks, these can be left uncovered. A few washable rugs are needed to give an air of comfort, one before the fireplace and others beside each small cot or crib. VENTILATION AND HEATING. The night nursery windows may be either of the sash or casement type. Ventilation is more easily secured when there is a sash window. An admirable arrangement for ensuring a proper supply of fresh air is to push up the lower sash and place beneath it a strip of wood to fill up the space at the bottom of the window. A space is thus left between the two sashes where fresh air will enter the room. This arrangement gives it an upward direction and avoids a cold draught of air falling on the occupants in the room. Casement windows certainly give a larger opening through which fresh air is admitted, but in windy or cold weather it is not easy to avoid a draught. In case of illness the room is occupied both day and night, and its adequate ventilation is therefore of particular importance. i Ventilation is closely connected) with questions of heating. In any case of illness the temperature of the night nursery should not be allowed to fall below 55deg Fahr., and in the case of chest complaints, measles, whooping cough, and many others, a higher temperature may he ordered by the doctor. In some cases the air of the room may have to be moistened, in which case a kettle with a long spout is used, through which the steam is directed' to a particular part of the room. A thermometer should always be used in 'the night nursery. It is not safe to judge by guesswork alone.

When a choice is possible, a south-west or south-east aspect is best for the night nursery, and of these the south-west particularly commends itself because the late afternoon sun is cheering to the small occupant. In any case, the position of the bed in the room is important. It must be placed well away from draughts and so that the light from the windows and artificial light also does not fall directly on the child’s eyes. In some complaints this is a matter for special care, as the eyes are particularly susceptible to injury, if the size and shape of the room make it impossible to place the child’s cot where the light cannot fall directly upon it, a screen must be used. This is in any case a useful night nursery accessory, for it can also on occasion be used to protect the bed from draughts. BEDS, COTS, AND BEDDING. The question of beds, cots, bedding, and bed coverings is extremely important, and some of the newest designs in all these things are interesting. The simple iron or welded steel cot has much to commend' it. It can be japanned either black or white, and a decorative touch added by brass bars and knobs. A. cot of this type is extremely easy to keep clean, and when it gets shabby is easily renovated. There are also delightful cots in woods of various kinds—oak, walnut, birch, and one in Jacobean design with finely carved panels is particularly attractive. The bottom of the cot should be fitted with a wire spring, and a strong spiral spring is now available

which is very hygienic. It is sufficiently yielding for comfort, but never sags. This is an important point, for the spine of a growing child may be predisposed to curvature by sleeping on a sagging mattress. The question as to whether it is permissible to have a light burning all night in the night nursery is debatable. Whatever the view may be of mother and nurse in this matter when the child is well, it is usual during illness to keep a small night-light burning. These in various forms are available, including a kind of pseudo-candle burning oil which gives a clear and yet subdued light without attention. Another safe and useful night-light is made by taking a small piece of candle, weighting it with a nail, and floating it in a tumbler of water. The nail must bo heavy enough to keep the candle upright in the water.