After its birth the child's eyes and mouth are cleansed with 2 per cent boric acid solution and its whole body greased with sweet oil or sterilized vaseline. It is then wrapped in warm flannel, put in a crib or basket, heated with hot water bags if necessary, and covered with a warmed blanket. It can then be left until the mother is cared for. Watch the cord carefully as there is danger of hemorrhage.

The first bath is often given at once, although some doctors prefer to have the baby rubbed with oil only for the first few days. Before beginning have everything necessary together-a foot tub containing water, 100° F, bath thermometer, warm, soft towels, wash cloth, castile soap, dusting powder, a dressing for the cord, boric acid solution, small squares of gauze, a rubber lap protector, two diapers, flannel band, shirt, flannel petticoat, and a simple, soft white dress.

First Bath

The head is first washed, using very little soap, rinsed and thoroughly dried; then wash behind the ears, the crevices of the neck, axilla, joints, and between the buttocks and thighs carefully. Only the part being bathed should be exposed. The baby is now put down into the tub and rinsed, supporting the head and back firmly with the left hand and arm. Cover the lap protector with flannel apron or warm towel and when you lift the baby out, roll this around it. Dry by patting; use very little powder and only when it is necessary to prevent chafing. Some doctors consider it better not to put the baby in the tub until after the cord is off.

The navel is now dressed by cutting a hole with sterile scissors in a piece of sterile gauze, which is slipped over the cord and folded about it. The cord is laid toward the left side and a pad of sterile absorbent cotton put over it. A soft flannel binder holds the pad in place and must be put on firmly and smoothly, but not too tightly. It is best sewn on with a few large stitches. After the bath the baby should be rolled in warm flannel and laid on its right side in its crib.

The Feeding. The first six weeks the baby should nurse every two hours during the day and every three hours at night; afterward this may be changed to every three hours during the day and twice at night. These hours should be rigidly adhered to. If the baby seems thirsty between meals a little plain water may be given.

The baby's mouth should be washed with 2 per cent boric acid solution before and after feeding and also the mother's nipples.

Navel Dressing

Nursing

When for any reason it is impossible for the mother to nurse the child, great care must be exercised in the preparation of its food. First the bottle and nipples must be thoroughly cleansed immediately after each feeding by rinsing in cold water, then washing in hot water and soap suds and rinsing in hot water. The bottle is kept turned upside down and the nipples in a 2 per cent solution of boric acid. Both bottle and nipples should be boiled for five minutes twice a day.

Every doctor has his own formula for prepared milk, but whatever the preparation used it is best pasteurized if not above suspicion.