OUR BABIES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 644, 18 February 1914, Page 6

OUR BABIES.

Published under the auspices of the Society for the Health of Women and Children. " It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom."

CRIES OF BABY.

(Concluded.) Eye pains, headache, etc. What we said last week with regard to earache appließ also to "eye pains." headache, etc. Don't delay. Get doctor at once, whether the trouble be crying and shrink ng from the light, persistent rubbing of the eyes, redness, discharge, or swelling of the eyelids, specially dangerous in first week; see page 121. Mouth and Jaw Pains.—Ulceration of the mouth, due to thrush, etc , and "teething" are common causeß of pain in infancy. Dribbling, fingering the mouth, crying on taking food, etc., should attract attention. Pain and Tenderness 'jf Bones and Joints. —This is the main cause of crying in "scurvy-rickets." Consult a doctor at once.

Pain in Privates.—Pain and crying during or after passing water may be due to stone or gravel, or to a reddish brown, gritty material in the urine, or to tightness of the foreskin. Consult a doctor. A red sediment from the urine, showing on napkins, should always be noted and mentioned: baby may need more water. Crying Because 111. Any illness may lead to crying. Make sure baby is not "ill" before deciding that he is merely "trying it on." Crying Because Spoiled.—A normal baby whose habits have been properly regulated day and night, given his 12 primary simple rights (see page 1), should be happy, good-tempered, and a joy in the home not a source of anxiety and worry. But any baby can easily be spoiled and made cross, fretful, and an exacting little tyrant. The following is full of ripe wisdom: —

"Baby very soon fine's out that he likes attention. When he is laid down alone, or if the mother or nurse goes out of his sight; he sets up a cry for renewed attention; one wants to be cuddled or rocked. If he does not get just what he wants he will cry! Hiß cry will immediately stop when he is taken up. held, or rocked. When he sees his mother coming to him his ' cries ceaße; in other words, he is rapidly becoming a 'spoiled baby.' "One cannot begin 'too young' to train a baby. We often hear the remark made by some dear old grandma or loving mother, 'Oh, he will grow out of it,'or'Wait until he grows a little older and understands what you say to him.' If you do wait you are lost! Begin when a baby is born to make him understand that you mean what you say; you are the one to be obeyed; it is for vour child's good.

"Wenuw come to the treatment, as it were, for a baby who cries sim ply because he wants attention, which is: 'Baby must cry it out.' " "Cries of the Baby," by Dr Theron Kilmer. Read "Forming a Character," page 149. "If a baby cries, go over the list of causes, and if he is not crying from any cause except the "wants attention' cause, let him cry it out." (Kilmer). "Don't be fooled by the absurd old wife's notion that a male infant must not be allowed lusty crying for fear of causing rupture. (See 'Popular Error' page 101. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IF A BABY CRIES AT NIGHT.

"One should get up and see that the child is comfortable the clothing smooth under the body, the hands and feet warm, and the napkin not wet or soiled or otherwise uncomfortable. A change of position may be needed. If all these matters are properly adjusted, and the child is simpy crying to be taken up, it should not be further interfered with."—Holt.

If the night cry is habitual, some other cause should be sought. "Night feeding" is one of the main causes of "night crying." There may be discomfort from too little or too much clothing, or want of a current of fresh air in the sleeping room, or he may not have enough fresh air, outing, and exercise, in the daytime, or the nurse may be in the habit of exciting the baby by playing with it about bedtime.

Chronic pains, or frequently-recur-ring night pains may give rise to disordered sleep and cause the child to wake up with a sudden sharp cry. In infants this is most often due to scurvy. In older children it may 1 be the earliest symptom of disease of the hip, spine, or brain, or it may result from worms. Consult a doctor.