Bathing and hygiene during lactation and childhood.

 Bathing and hygiene during lactation and childhood.

During childhood.

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Hygiene is important for the health of the infant. The main points to which the parent should pay special attention, are :

the infant should be washed daily with warm water; bathing every evening, for cleansing the body, is necessary. Bathing a sensitive infant for a few days or even a few weeks in cold water to “harden” the Constitution (as it is called), is the most effective way to harm his health and lead to diseases in the future. By degrees, however, the water with which we dry off in the morning should be lukewarm, keeping the evening bath warm enough to be grateful for the feelings.

After a few months, the water temperature can be lowered until the cold is used, which can either be wiped or even immersed in it, every morning during the summer. However, if he is immersed in cold water, he should stay there only for a minute. In this period, in particular, the impression of cold that lasts for a long time reduces vital energies and prevents the healthy glow on the surface that follows the momentary and brief action of cold, on which its usefulness depends. In some children, there is a severe allergy and a minus reaction that makes a cold bath dangerous; a fiery glow on the surface does not occur when its use harms: therefore, its effects should be monitored.

The surface of the skin should always be dried with flannel, in fact, more than dry, because the skin should be warmed up and stimulated by the gentle and diligent rubbing used. This process of washing and drying should not be done, but; then it turns out it’s one of the most effective means of strengthening the baby. It is especially necessary to dry the armpits, groin, and pigtails; and if the child is obese, it would be nice to dust these parts with hair powder or starch: this avoids cuts and abrasions, which are often very annoying. Soap is required only for those parts of the body that are exposed to the reception of dirt.

During childhood.

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When this period arrives, or soon after, bathing is interrupted; the baby’s hands and face are kept clean, and with this the nurse is satisfied; however, Daily ablution of the whole body is still necessary, not only to maintain cleanliness, but because it favors the baby’s health to a high degree.

A child with a strong constitution and strong health, when he gets up from bed refreshed and energized by a night’s rest, should be put in The bath. If this excites and alarms him a lot, should be poured from head to foot with salt water. If the weather is cold, the water may be lukewarm, but if its constitution supports it, then water should be cool all year round. Then the body should be quickly dried, rubbed hastily but thoroughly with a rather coarse towel, and dressed without unnecessary delay. This should be done every morning of a child’s life.

If such a child is on the seashore, then it is necessary to take advantage of this circumstance and alternate sea bathing for him. The best time is two or three hours after breakfast; but he should not tire The same in advance, because if so, then a cold bath cannot be used without danger. Care must be taken that it does not stay too long, as the animal’s heat will be lowered below the required degree, which can be very harmful. In boys with a weak constitution, significant harm is often produced in this way. It is also important that bathing children should not be afraid to indulge, and all precautions should be taken to avoid this. A healthy and strong boy should also learn to swim early because it is accompanied by the most beneficial effects; it is a more invigorating exercise, and therefore a cold bath becomes doubly useful.

If a child has a delicate and fuzzy physique, then a cool summer Bath is one of the best tonics that can be used; and if one lives on the coast, sea bathing will be of unique advantage. On the other hand, the effects of a sea bath on someone with such a constitution should be well watched, since it won't help unless it's accompanied by a glow, a sense of improved strength, or a strong hunger. In which case, it should be promptly abandoned in a warm or hot bath. The opinion that hot baths relax and weaken is erroneous; because in this case, as in all correctly used cases, they give tone and vitality to the whole system; in fact, a lukewarm bath is for this child what a cold bath is for the strongest.

In conclusion: if the bathing process is not possible, then a cold salt water sponge should be used daily and all year round, provided that the desired reaction or GLOW follows its use; but when it is not so, and this usually happens, if the child has allergies and the weather is cold, then vinegar and warm water or warm salt water should be replaced.