THE CHILD IN SUMMER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5223, 6 January 1928, Page 1

THE CHILD IN SUMMER.

FOOD AND CLOTHING.

SOME WISE SUGGESTIONS.

We have learned a great deal about how .to make our children resistant and hardy by the simple and negative processes of neither overfeeding noi over-clothing, them (writer Yvonne Cloud in the Manchester Guardian), and the chief danger during hot weather lies in- overdoing these excellent practices. Adults who, for social reasons very frequently overfeed themselves can, with impunity, cut three meals out of foUr and live on fruit for a few weeks ; but a healthy and well-tendqd child will suffer from any very radical, change ip.its; diet. Suitably cared for, the child will lose none of its vigour in even the hottest weather, and adults must not expect to see their own symptoms of lassitude and discomfort reproduced inevitably in the child, for these symptoms are due almost entirely to the conditions under which the adult’s day is passed-. We db not, as a rule, look after ourselves as intelligently and well as we look after our children. A well-bal-anced diet is essential at all times for heath, and we should beware of underfeeding the child or pf feeding it only “cooling” foods.

It is a good thing to cook all foods (that are to be cooked) as sopn as they enter the house. This diminishes the. chances of their going bad, and also allows bf their being served to table cold. Milk should be brought to the boil immediately on delivery, and the bottles and saucepans used must be scfupuluously sterilised, but tlie milk itself 'may be given cold; eyen iced when, besides, being the important’food that it is at .all times, it becomes a not unattractive summer drink for the child. Such articles of diet as porridge and ste,ws. should be cut .out in the summer menu; only; however, to be replaced by cereals of known nourishment value and cold, preferably jellied, soups. Many children .who can. digest quantities of eggs and f(at (such as is contained in cod liver oil and malt preparations will show a wise distaste; -for ,these things during hot weather, .and they should then be discontinued. The stodgier milk puddings also should be discarded in favour of blajic-manges and cold ground--rice or semolina moulds. Orange juice drinks are better for children than lemon, juice ones. Stone fruit is newer at any time, whether stewed or fresh, a perfectly safe thing for young children ; iced apple,, gooseberry, and rasberry puree make' ideal desserts. Fresh fruit should figure largely in the summer diet, and, without sacrificing a good balance, one cooked meal in every three throughout the summer is easy, healthy, and cheap. It is absolutely essential that during .the hot weather every bite of food that the child eats can be certified above reproach ; and it is equally important, therefore,, that the larder should be generously supplied with fly protectors.

In'this connection it may be mentioned that, although one may at first be revolted by the idea of allowing the baby, to sleep during'tiie daytime under a cover, it is best?to overcome that feeling, since a large mesh net will not’ deprive it of fresh air, and the sight of fliete settling on its face and body, probably to spoil its valuable sleep, is even‘more, revolting. As regards clothes, “the less the better” should be the guilding principle, but this mus.t not be followed without reference to. actual changes of temperature nor without intelligent modifications where necessary. The very early mqriiing hours can be treacherous, and young persons who wake at sunrise and are, vesry properly, allowed to get up and romp on a dew-covered lawn should jvear stout shoes and a sweater. .The most essential garment at all times is one that covers the abdomen, and the healthiest wear for babies and young during'the heat’(very tiny babies not, of .course, incuded, as they have, individual habits which somewhat dictate their wardrobe) is a pair of “s/lips” made; out ofi tussore silk or very light wool weave (such as nun’s weiling), which garment is kept on by means of straps of the same material. Ttese are extremely easy to make at home. This garment, a pair of open sandals, and a cotton hat are yill that any healthy child need wear.

The b'est, places for children during the hot summer are obviously the garden, the beach, the meadows, or the woods. Therefore their costumes will not need to be more elaborate than indicated. It is a niistake to burden them with entertainments, even such simple ones as shopping expeditions,' during the heat. They will adapt themselves to the weather conditions like any healthy young animals. if they are allowed to remain in those surroundings wheye their most natural activities have scope.