BABY AND TRAVELLING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1939, Page 8

BABY AND TRAVELLING

MEALTIME DIFFICULTIES.

SOME TIMELY HINTS. Many a mother, especially the mother of a first baby, is unduly worried at the thought of embarking on a journey. In fact, the thought seems so appalling that she is almost willing to stay at home instead. But change of environment, change of air, change of people, are really necessary as well as forming stepping-stones to good health and a happy outlook on life. It may be that, since baby is being brought up so much to timetable, the smallest deviation from it assumes alarming proportions in the new mother’s eyes. Timetables are excellent things, but the mother should not forget that they are drawn up for convenience, as well as for baby’s health needs, and that he should learn to be adaptable to.small changes in his routine. In fact, the only infringement of his rights that a baby resents, and resents loudly, is having to wait for a feed when he is legitimately entitled to have one. Apart from this, the other changes necessitated in travelling should upset the normal baby very little, if at all. The one most important duty to a baby during travelling time is that arrangements must be made to coincide with his feeding times as far as possible. Whether naturally or bottle fed. he must be given as quiet a place >as possible, with mother holding him as easily and as naturally as* at home. Whether the journey is to be made by car or by train, neither should interfere with the usual routine. The car, when feeding time comes round, should be drawn up in a shady spot. On the traih, a compartment for “Ladies” should be chosen. Or, if the feeding hour coincides with the arrival at a station, the ladies’ room affords all the quiet and privacy that is required. If baby is naturally fed, the mother’s glass of water must not be ignored before his meal. Be Prepared.

The baby’s bottle meals will be simplified by having the required number of feeds prepared and catered for before leaving home. It is better to give baby a mixture made from dried milk powder, according to the specified recipe given by the health centre sister to satisfy the baby’s wants, dependent on his weight and age. Directions on the tin should not be followed implicitly, for each "baby has his own individual needs. Each exact quantity of the milk powder and sugar of milk should, if necessary, be measured out and wrapped together in greaseproof paper. All that would be needed for the food then would be boiled hot water, which can be carried in a vacuum flask. A jug, a spoon to stir, and the bottle equipments for the number of meals for the trip would also be necessary. Baby should have drinks of boiled watei’ between feeds, as he may become more thirsty than usual. His orange juice from a freshly-cut orange may be added just when giving him the drink. Even though baby has been in the habit of taking his water and orange juice from a spoon or cup, he should have it from a bottle this time because the jolting and motion of the train may make it very difficult for him to take without causing injury to his mouth.

The travelling hamper of the oldfashioned type, consisting of two halves fitting one over the other, is an ideal and indispensable piece of baggage for carrying baby’s clothes. Quite possibly it may be difficult to obtain this type of basket now, but should be procured where woven cane goods are made. In this can be packed everything likely to be needed on the journey, changes of napkins, as well as nightclothes for the first night, baby’s washers, towels and soap, lanoline, etc. Over all this can be spread a small waterproof sheet, a soft blanket, and baby’s pillow, forming a comfortable bed for him. Baby will be more comfortable in this during the journey than in mother’s arms, especially this weather. Care must be taken when travelling not to dress baby too warmly. Nothing will make a baby more fractious than being overclad. Light garments, not forgetting the cotton or silk shirt next his skin under his silk and wool vest, can be reinforced by a woolly jacket or shawl should a sudden change in the weather or draughts make it necessary. Bigger Babies.

This has so far only dealt with the young infant, far the easiest kind to travel with. The active baby of eight or nine months becomes a more complicated problem and more wearying. Meals must be thought out just as carefully, and his broth or vegetable puree could be kept warm in a wide-mouth vacuum flask easily obtainable. Or if an egg could be coddled for him at a stopping place, that could be arranged for. But it is a mistake to rely on getting the food he requires at a refreshment room. Even the fruit should not be left to be obtained on the way, but taken along, too. Everything should be handy. Toys to while away the time while he sits on a seat, rather than on his mother’s lap, will not cause him to be as tired as he would be, without anything to entertain him.