The Baby's Clothes

What Concerns Woman

When a mother faces the problem of preparing clothes for her baby, all sorts of considerations and questions pull at her and make her think long before choosing these clothes. So what will you choose, madam?

It is natural that every age should have its own dress, but in choosing the clothes the mother must see to it that they are healthful and comfortable; their beauty comes in second place. Then she must judge whether the clothes are sufficient to preserve the child's natural body heat, and loose enough to allow his little body to grow. They must also be soft to the touch, easy to wash, and light in weight and color. It is best that they be of sturdy cloth, so as to last a long time. Here is a list of the clothes needed for a newborn baby:

First — diapers, square or oblong, of soft, light cloth that is absorbent and washable.

Second — a band of wool mixed with silk, or of flannel. This band is needed while the baby's navel is healing. Its edges must be left unstitched so as not to hurt the baby's skin. The band is made of an oblong piece of cloth with a narrow ribbon to tie it around his body.

Third — undershirts with long sleeves, except in hot weather. The shirt should open in front.

Fourth — long shirts, or "combinaisons"; these are not necessary in the case of a newborn baby or in hot weather.

Fifth — long gowns. In selecting them, care should be taken that they be light, sturdy, and easy to put on. The gown should reach no farther than the baby's feet. The colors most becoming to a baby are white, pink, and the other light shades.

Sixth — nightgowns, which may be knitted of cotton or made of flannel — that is, of a cloth that stretches with the baby's movements. The cloth is made prettier by small, fine patterns.

All these are necessary and indispensable, and there are other things the mother can prepare after these necessary clothes, if the budget allows. Among these things:

First — jackets or coats of knitted wool or cotton; but the knitting must be plain, so as not to hurt the baby's skin.

Second — blankets for outings.

Third — stockings of knitted cotton or wool.

Fourth — bonnets, which must be simple and soft.

There is a fixed number for each of these kinds of clothing. Of diapers, for example, a baby needs thirty-six; of bands, two; of undershirts, three, and three shirts a little longer. Of gowns, three of one kind are enough, according to the state of the weather. Four nightgowns should be prepared, and two jackets.

What matters in a baby's clothes is that they be simple, soft to the touch, and washable. As for looks, it is enough that they be pretty and clean; and it is not right to dress your baby in things he does not need merely to show them off. The baby's interest and comfort come before every other consideration.

Do not be, madam, one of those ladies who pride themselves on the abundance of a baby's clothes and dress him in every manner of gowns, coats, mittens, bonnets, shoes, and other things a baby needs only at certain, rare times. Such a lady may do well at showing off clothes, but at the cost of the baby's comfort and health, which are quickly affected. For instance, a lady may choose to dress her baby in a gown of embroidered silk for the sake of show, without noticing that the baby may be irritated by the embroidery that adorns the gown, which hurts his tender skin. She likewise chooses for him a pretty bonnet of the same cloth and embroidery, with knots and ruffles and other sorts of trimming at odds with simplicity and elegance; and thus the mother has troubled her baby and pained him. And after all that she wonders at the cause of her baby's crying, saying that she has prepared for him every means of comfort and luxury.

Beware, madam: a baby's nerves are delicate, and his body bears fancy and complicated clothes less well than yours does; so try to prepare for him everything simple and soft in the way of clothes.