OUR BABIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1938, Page 10

OUR BABIES

Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunket Society). “It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.” CARE OF THE TEETH. Every expectant mother should consult her dentist, as early as possible, in pregnancy. Decay of the teeth often' occurs during pregnancy, and it is therefore important to take particular care of them at this time. Decayed teeth are septic, and will affect the health of the baby as well as the health of the mother, and they may cause septic infection during labour and the lying-in period. Some of the causes of dental decay are faulty diet and neglect of dental hygiene. It is necessary to have a healthy mouth in order to keep a healthy body. The teeth should be carefully examined and repaired, and if necessary extractions should be made. Eminent authorities now agree that it is better to have decayed teeth extracted than risk infection from their septic condition. There may be septic trouble at the roots of teeth of which the mother is unaware, and a visit to the dentist may be necessary to disclose this fact. Decay of the teeth is largely due to the accumulation of soft food in the small crevices of the teeth. Since clean teeth seldom decay, it is important to wash the mouth after every meal, and to brush the teeth with cold water and a mild dentifrice before going to bed and again in the morning. Take special care to brush all the surfaces of the teeth, especially the back ones. All food and debris must be removed from the teeth.

Do not hesitate to have your teeth attended to by a dentist during pregnancy. There is an old-standing prejudice against dental interference during this period which is not justified, as only very extensive dental operations are contra-indicated. If you or your dentist are in any doubt, consult your own medical adviser. CLOTHING. All clothing should be loose, warm, and comfortable, the weight suspended from the shoulders. It is better not to wear corsets, but if the expectant mother has been accustomed to wearing them, and is unable to do without them, she should see that they are not too tight. “Any constriction of the waist must be avoided, as it interferes with the circulation of the blood in the lower part of the body thus increasing the risk of varicose veins in the legs.” For the same reason garters should be avoided, and suspenders worn instead. Shoes should be well fitting; it is impossible to take sufficient walking exercise if the feet are cramped. High heels should not be worn, as they interfere -with the balance of the body; and the small heel is a source of danger, being liable to cause the wearer to trip and fall.

PARENTCRAFT. The following article by Cyril V. Pink, tells us why education in parentcraft is so essential: —“Every mother knows how important it is to provide her baby with the right food in his first few years and a fresh, clean nursery to play in. Without the right conditions she knows he would become peevish and perhaps ill. These things are equally important in the nine

montns previous io mrin, lor inougn the mother’s blood never mixes with the baby's they are in the most intimate contact in the afterbirth, and there is a continual interchange of oxygen, nutriment, and waste products between them. Alcohol for instance, readily passes from the maternal blood to the baby’s, so that when a pregnant woman drinks a glass of wine the baby gets his dose of alcohol too, exactly as he would a year later if a small quantity were put in his bottle. On the other hand, the extra health and vigour provided by plenty of fresh air and exercise will be shared by the baby also. Certainly his mother cannot see the change at the time, but those of us who do see a number of babies arrive in the world do notice that those whose mothers have taken the trouble to order their lives according to the best information at present available are more vigorous and have a better resistance to disease than the others. If this knowledge of increased responsibilities in earliest motherhood seems something of a burden to you, remember the positive fact that the knowledge gives you the opportunity to do much more for the baby and at the same time to minimise

your risk of the grave anxiety of ill ness in his early years—to prevent rather than to cure. At the moment when pregnancy begins a jewel is given to you that a multi-millionaire cannot buy. Your part is to fashion the jewel-case—a casket for a human being. With this thought in your mind you cannot fail to remember that no- , thing but the best workmanship is good enough so that your casket may be as strong and beautiful as you can possibly make it.” Every expectant mother should seek pre-natal care, and it is the duty of the husband to insist that his wife shall avail herself of such care. It is through the education of the future parents that the health of the race will be safeguarded and maintained.