Does this outing do the baby any good?  The fresh air renews and purifies the blood, and this is just as necessary for its health and growth as proper food.

How does it show in the baby?  The appetite is good, also the digestion.  The child sleeps better and all signs of health are seen.

Is it better for the baby to be carried by the nurse in this airing?  No, for it can be made more comfortable in its carriage and as well protected from exposure.

Is there any objection to a baby sleeping out of doors in the daytime?  No, it needs only to be kept warm and out of draughts.  A covered inclosed porch is a good place.

What can be done for a child that takes cold easily?  The room should be kept cool when it sleeps, the clothing should be light so that he will not perspire so freely.  Every morning the chest and back should be sponged with cold water, 50 to 60 degrees F.

How should such a sponge bath be given?  The child should stand in a tub containing a little warm water, and a large bath sponge filled with cold water should be squeezed over the body two or three times.  Follow this with vigorous rubbing with a towel until the skin shows quite red.  This may be given at least at three years old.  For infants the temperature should be 65 to 70 degrees F.

WEIGHING BABY FREQUENTLY.

Why is it necessary to weigh the baby regularly?  To be able to tell how it is doing.  This is especially necessary during the first year.

How frequently should this be done?  During the first six months every week, and during the last six months at least once in two weeks; once a month during the second year.

[All about baby 559]

How rapidly should the baby’ gain weight during the first year?  During the first week it loses a few ounces, after this it shows a gain of four to eight ounces a week up to the sixth month, then two to four ounces a week, up to the twelfth month.

Do bottle-fed infants gain so rapidly?  Very seldom during the first month, but after that with favorable air and circumstances, the gain is quite regular, and they may gain faster during the latter part of the first year, because the nursing baby loses weight at weaning time.

Why do they not gain so rapidly at first?  Because it takes a few weeks for the stomach to become accustomed to cow’s milk and until this is accomplished it is necessary that the milk be made very weak or indigestion will result.

What is a baby’s average weight at birth?  Seven to seven and one-half pounds.

How much should it be at different months at this average birth?  At three months it should be twelve to thirteen pounds; at six months fifteen to sixteen pounds; at nine months seventeen to eighteen pounds; at one year twenty to twenty-two pounds.  A healthy baby will usually double its weight at five months and at twelve months it will nearly triple its weight.