de with his glass of water, saying, "I
haven't touched it, maybe the baby's thirsty." The mother brushed the
boy aside, saying, "No, I never give the baby water." In spite of the
mother's remonstrance, the baby cried on and on, and finally on
"trying" the water, the child drank fully one-half the glass and the
crying was hushed.

Babies should be given water regularly--many times every day--from
birth, in varying amounts from two teaspoons to one-half cup,
according to the age of the child. The water should be boiled for the
first few months, and longer if there is any suspicion of impurities.

Milk to the nursing infant is like beefsteak and potatoes to the
adult; and many times the milk bottle or the breast is just as
nauseating to the thirsty babe, as meat would be to the very thirsty
adult whose hunger has previously been fully satisfied.

THE FRETFUL CRY

The babe who is wet, soiled, too hot, or is wrapped too tightly, or
who has on a tight, uncomfortable belly band, or whose clothing is
full of wrinkles, has only one way to tell us of his discomfort, and
that is to cry. It is a fretful cry and should command an immediate
investigation as to the possible cause. It takes but a moment to
discover a wet diaper; to run the hand up the back under the clothes;
to sprinkle with talcum if perspiring; to straighten out the wrinkled
clothing; to find the unfastened pin that pricks; or to loosen the
tight band. Acquire the art of learning to perform these simple tasks
easily, and any or all of these services should be rendered without
taking the child from its bed.

Let the child early learn to rest happily and quietly in his own bed.
The pillow or mattress may be turned or perhaps the mattress be raised
nearer the edge of the basinet. One poor youngster instantly stopped
his fretful cry when his mattress was raised four or five inches so he
could get the air, at the same time taking him out of his hot room to
a cooler room with raised windows. Babies like cold air. They cry when
the air is hot, or even warm and close. Every day--rain or shine, wind
or sleet--babies should nap out of doors on the porch, in a
well-sheltered corner. A screen or a blanket protects from the wind,
sleet, or rain; and if the baby's finger tips are warm, you can rest
assured the feet and body are warm. Scores of babies will sleep out on
the porch, on the protected fire escape, or in a room with opened
windows, from one bottle or feeding to a