early weeks, it is often the cause of great discomfort--often
interfering with the normal expansion of the stomach at meal time.

No matter what the season, the new-born baby should be clothed in a
light-weight silk and wool shirt, preferably the second size. After
the first month, if the weather is exceedingly warm, this woolen shirt
may be displaced by a thin silk or lisle shirt. In buying the
second-size shirts always secure the stretchers at the same time, for
in the laundering they soon shrink so that they are very uncomfortable
for the young babe.

DIAPERS

There are a number of materials on the market from which comfortable
diapers may be made for the baby. The cotton stockinet (ready-made
shaped diaper) is excellent, fitting smoothly at the waist, while it
is large and baggy at the seat, thus permitting not only a comfortable
feeling but the free use of the hips, without the bulkiness of the
ordinary diaper.

The large square of cheesecloth is easily laundered, and if an inside
pad is used makes a very acceptable diaper.

The stork diapers are made of materials resembling turkish toweling
and are used to some extent. This diaper should not be confused with
the stork rubber diaper which will be spoken of later.

Birdseye cotton is popular and extensively used. It absorbs quickly,
and is much lighter in weight than linen. The first- and third-size
widths should be purchased as a part of the layette, and the number of
diapers needed depends upon the opportunities to wash them out, for
diapers are never used but once without washing; they should always be
quickly rinsed and dried in the sunshine if possible. So if there are
good laundry privileges, and daily washing is possible, the mother can
get along with fewer diapers, but no less than four dozen should be
provided.

The diaper pad will be found convenient and serviceable in the early
days when the skin of the child is so very tender. This pad should be
pieces of clean old linen or small pads of absorbent cotton.

CHANGING THE DIAPER

During the mother's waking hours, the diaper should be changed as soon
as it is soiled or wet. If the child cries during the night it should
be changed immediately, but the mother should not feel called upon to
lay awake nights merely to change the baby's napkin when it is soiled.
If she places a pad underneath the baby, which will absorb the urine
quickly, he often does not awaken or become chilled. The pad should