Clothing in Summer.—­Even in summer, the baby should have clothing which contains some wool.  A mixture of silk and wool or cotton and wool may be used for the shirt, band and skirt.  The band should never be left off; the shirt may be left off in the hottest weather and the long ribbed band with shoulder-straps may take its place, but the abdomen must be covered by means of the band.  The nightdress should now be of cotton and the skirt left off at night, but the band and the thin skirt should be worn.  Long, white cotton stockings reaching to the napkin should be worn all summer, and not short socks.

The head should be kept cool, therefore do not use a sunbonnet which shuts out all of the air.  Muslin caps and light pique hats provide enough shade, if the baby-carriage has a parasol.

Creeping aprons can be used for babies.  They are made of fine gingham and may be put over the dress or worn without one in very warm weather.  Make them so as to button all the way down the back, and they sometimes have an elastic or draw-string run into the hem at the bottom of the apron so that the white skirts may be kept clean.

For early fall, two or three little jackets of light flannel or cashmere can be made; and the baby can wear one of these either over or under his white dress in the morning or evening when it is cool.  The baby should be in the house by six o’clock unless the weather is exceptionally warm.  In the fall, if he has been accustomed to having his nap on the piazza, in his carriage, a screen should-be placed around the carriage to protect him from any possible draught.  After the first of October, in chilly days, he should have his nap in the house.

[556 Mothers’ remedies]

Winter.—­A year-old baby in winter should wear a medium weight wool shirt, knit band with shoulder-straps, a flannel skirt on a flannel waist, white skirt buttoned on to the waist of the flannel skirt, woolen stockings pinned to the diaper, laced shoes, a white dress of some cotton material and for very cold days, a little flannel, or cashmere sack.  At night should be worn a band, shirt, diaper and flannel night-dress long enough to keep his feet warm.  For an outing in the winter he should have on a light, but warmly lined coat; a wadded lamb’s wool lining is best, but it is expensive, and flannel may be used.  His bonnet should be lined with flannel; and leggings and mittens should be of wool.

First Half of Second Year.—­A baby of this age may wear a thin gauze shirt with short sleeves, but he should wear under it the ribbed silk and wool band and also his flannel petticoat during the summer.  Summer complaint is often kept off by such clothing.