TRAVELLING WITH BABY

Shannon News, 4 September 1928, Page 4

TRAVELLING WITH BABY

If you are going on a journey with baby—even a comparatively short one —do make up your mind tnat there are some things which must be within easy reach, if you are to be happy, and certain things you must do if you aad otheijs who share the railway carriege are not to be utterly miserable, writes June Hope in the Auckland Sun.

Firstly, refrain from giving the child any kind of sweets. This is often done by thoughtless mothers for the sake of peace and quietness, but nothings worse than sticky fingers dabbed about our best clothos, or leaving sugary patches on the seat of the compartment for the benefit of the next unfortunate occupant. Apart from this, it is moat unwise to load the child's stomach with a lot of sweet stuff, especially when travelling; it often leads to biliousness. Endeavour to keep to the usual hours of meals and sleep, then the good habits whieh it has taken weeks or months to form will not be broken. Two Thermos Flasks. If you are travelling with quite a young baby who still needs the bottle, it is advisable to take a thermos of boiling water with you and another of very cold milk. Milk always keeps best if clean and iced. If you take it already warm it certainly saves trouble, but this, is risky as warm milk soon becomes poisonous.

If the journey is to be a long one you might take an empty pillow case.. When stuffed with*clothes or newspapers this makes a comfy pillow to lay baby on. And don't forget to take a damp sponge in a rubber bag, as it always comes in useful on a journey. Your own towel and soap should be included as a guard, against infection. We have all, at some time or another, travelled with children.who fidget. Sitting, .they will swing their legs or slide their feet up and down the floor. Nothing is more annoying, and it is just as tiresome when they run round the carriage asking all manner of questions. Sooner or later children must learn how to behave, and the sooner the easier for themselves and others. The child who accompanies every question with a spasmodic dance should be told most assuredly that, if she could only stand still for a few ■niinutes, it would bo ever so much ens' ier to think of the answer. Acclimatised. If the journey is to be made by sea and baby is "on bottles" several extra ones sould be taken in case of accidents, and he sould be accustomed to the food he is to have on the voyage for at least a month beforehand. Never be without the means of getting hot water at any hour; it may, mean all the difference between sickness and health. ' The dawn -.can be an uncommonly cold thing, even W summer, and whether you travel by train or. boat you should keep the hot water bottle handy, lest it may be needed. „ ~ The rug must not be forgotten, though it very often is by inexperienced travellers. We may bo abkr to manage without one, but children cannot be too well looked after.