erated by
slight causes.

A limited amount of crying is useful exercise for a baby, and should not
distress his mother unduly. Moreover, crying may be merely the
expression of a wish to be taken up, to be played with, carried about or
otherwise amused, to be given a pacifier, or to be indulged in other bad
habits. If not indulged in these ways he may cry from temper. The cry of
temper is loud and violent, accompanied by vigorous kicking or by
holding the body rigid. Proper treatment of the baby may prevent many
months of discomfort, and spare him the formation of his first bad
habit. All other possible causes for crying should be eliminated. If the
child continues to cry when he is warm and dry and comfortable, "It
should simply be allowed to cry it out. This often requires an hour and
in extreme cases two or three hours. A second struggle will seldom last
more than ten or fifteen minutes and a third will rarely be necessary"
(Holt). Gas may form in the child's stomach during prolonged crying. It
is consequently permissible to take him up after 15 minutes, and hold
him erect; he generally expels gas at once, and immediately experiences
relief. As soon as he is relieved, he should go back to his crib.

EXERCISE.--Exercise is essential to the development of the body, but
during the first few weeks warmth and quiet are so important that a baby
should not be disturbed except for necessary care. His position,
however, should be changed occasionally; if he lies on the same side
constantly the soft bones of the head may become misshapen from
pressure. As the baby grows older he needs more exercise, and he may be
given an opportunity for it by removing his outer clothing and placing
him on a bed in a warm room for a short time each day. Unnecessary
handling is not good for a baby at any age.

After he becomes more active, he may play on a mattress or thick blanket
placed on the floor. The blanket should be covered with a washable pad
or rubber cloth and clean sheet, and the whole should be surrounded by a
fence at least two feet high. In such an enclosure a baby may safely be
left to play if protected from draughts and cold. Elevated pens that can
be folded when not in use are more convenient but more expensive than
the home-made arrangement. As soon as a child begins to run about he
takes ample exercise, and he may even need to be guarded from too great
fatigue, especially toward bedtime. Games and play should be adapted to