length may range anywhere from sixteen to twenty-two
inches.

There is an initial loss of weight during the first few days; however,
after the milk has been established the child should make a weekly
gain of four to eight ounces until it is six months old, after which
time the usual gain is from two to four ounces per week.

If the weight has been doubled at six months and the weight at one
year is three times the birth weight, the child is said to have gained
evenly and normally.

THE SKIN

At birth the skin of the baby is red and very soft owing to the
presence of a coating of fine down. A blue-tinged skin may be
occasioned by unnecessary exposure or it may be due to an opening in
the middle partition of the heart which should close at birth. As soon
as the baby is born, it should be placed on its right side while the
cord is being tied, as this position facilitates closure of this
embryonic heart opening. With the provision for a little additional
heat the blue color should disappear, if it is not due to this heart
condition. At the close of the first week the red color of the skin
changes to a yellow tint due to the presence of a small amount of bile
in the blood. This sort of jaundice is very common and is in no wise
evidence of disease. The "down" falls off with the peeling of the
skin which takes place during the second week; by the end of which
time, the skin is smooth and assumes that delightful "baby" character
so much admired.

THE CORD DRESSING

The cut end of the tied umbilical cord is swabbed and squeezed with a
sterile sponge saturated with pure alcohol. It is then wrapped in a
sterile dressing made as follows: Four or five thicknesses of sterile
cheese cloth are cut into a four-inch square with a small hole cut in
the center and one side cut to this center. This is slipped about the
stump of the cord and wrapped around and about in such a manner as
entirely to cover the stump of the cord. The wool binder is then
applied and sewed on, thus avoiding both pressure and the prick of
pins. If it remains dry this dressing is not disturbed until the
seventh or eighth day, when the cord ordinarily drops off. Should it
become moistened the dressing is removed and the second dressing is
applied exactly like the first.

THE EYES

The closed eyes of the newly born child are generally covered with
mucus which should be carefully wiped off with a piece of sterile
cotton dipped in boracic acid solution