The Question That Comes with Fluttering Signs of Life.—Importance of Wise Choice of Material and Style of Dress.—The Blessedness of Mother’s Joy in Preparing Baby’s Clothing.—The Questions of Dress Important.—Formerly Seemingly Planned for Discomfort.—The “Binder” an Instrument of Torture.—Better Methods now Prevail.—The Napkin.—How to Establish Regular Habits for Baby.—The Pinning Blanket.—The Little Shirt.—Baby’s Earliest and Best Dress Described.—The Complete Wardrobe Described.—The Furnishings of the Basket.—Things Which are not to Baby’s Taste or Comfort.—The Later Wardrobe.

“Wherewithal shall my baby be clothed?” is a question that comes to every expectant mother—if her heart be filled with love for it—when she feels the first fluttering signs of life that announce to her listening heart, “Mother, I’m coming;” and she delights to prepare for her little one the softest, daintiest, richest things that her purse and time will allow. If she is not always wise in her choice of material and trimming and[164] style of dress, it is because of ignorance, more often than otherwise. Sometimes, we fear from pride that her baby should make as fair a show in the flesh as the babies of her friends, regardless of healthfulness or suitableness.

I would it were possible for every mother to prepare the first clothing of her coming little ones, all herself; for in such quiet times as women sit down to their needle alone, in the waiting hours, thoughts and plans and high ambitions for the little ones hold them fast, and the heart warms with each dainty stitch, while the mother love kindles and grows, and the castles are built and peopled with baby and its friends and lovers. Far more often than we think, the choicest, tenderest thoughts the woman is capable of, and the highest, noblest ambitions of what her baby shall be, and what she shall be to it, are sewed into the little garments, with her swiftly flying needle; and more than this, are woven into the very fibre and being of the little one.

The question of the baby’s dress is one of large importance, and one which in the past few years has received the attention which is its due. Formerly the comfort of the baby was little planned for; and more than that,[165] it almost seems, as we consider it to-day, that the clothing of the little one was planned for discomfort; as if a sacrificial thought must enter into its first experiences, to insure a proper amount of self-abnegation in later life. Now all this is changed and self-sacrifice and endurance are taught the baby in a more wholesome way.

That instrument of torture, the band, or more properly the “binder,” has been relegated to the shades by all sensible people, and the thought that the All-wise Creator planned and formed the human body so wisely that it needed none of man’s inventions to supplement His creative wisdom, is thoroughly believed by the many to-day; and the baby is given the freedom in dress that its growing body and active limbs demand.

First of all the diaper or napkin must be considered. The large, heavy cotton flannel diapers, which are used so widely to-day, deserve one criticism and caution. There is danger, if they are used in the earlier weeks that too much thickness will be folded down between the legs, and the hips be thrown out of the natural position, and thus an awkward, ungraceful gait follow. Something much softer and more yielding should be used at first and this danger will be obviated. A[166] heavy, firm cheesecloth I have found all that was necessary, and these should not be made more than eighteen inches square, for use in the early weeks. Ten or fifteen of these will be an ample supply, and they should never be dried without a good rinsing after each using. The cotton flannel squares can be used later, but always with care not to fold too much between the legs, and so crowd the soft yielding bones. On the other hand the mother must guard against pinning the napkin too tightly about the hips, for this draws the hips forward and the little one is in danger of becoming knock-kneed. These seem simple cautions, but many thoughtful women do not think of them.

The napkin can very soon be spared the soil of the baby’s regular movements, and only used as a guard against irregularities. The baby while yet very young can be accustomed to a regular morning movement, and can be held out while dressing, over the little chamber, and its bowels moved daily. Should there not be a degree of regularity about the time naturally, it can soon become accustomed to one, by aiding at a stated time, with a little soap suppository which should be moistened before being inserted in the rectum. This habit fixed and the greatest annoyance[167] in the care of the baby is done away with.

All that is required in a band, is a soft piece of flannel, six or eight inches wide, with the edge turned over, once only, on the right side, and catch-stitched down. These are to be worn only until the navel cord is detached and............