I bought a book at goodwill for $1.00. It is called "The Indiana Mothers' Baby Book." I bought it because it looked pretty old, and I wondered what has changed in baby care since it was written. There wasn't a publication date, but these were free informative books given to new mothers in Indiana starting in 1913. The mother who recieved this book registered her child, Jerome Grenda, born August 27, 1917.

This book has much truth to despense, such as: "Those possessing inherited, and hense transmissible physical and mental defects should never become parents, unless it is thought desirable to multiply the physically and mentally defective."

"A mean, drunken, cruel or brutal husband, or one who does not do his utmost to give good and tender care to his pregnant wife, is a low specimen, his devoid of manhood and trhe law should
deal severely with him."

"Cessation of the "monthlies" is usually regared as the first symptom of pregnancy."

"It is a very great wrong to herself and her child for a mother to feed her baby artificially if she is able to produce healthful mother's milk. Such a mother is a deserter from duty."

Crying babies:
"Babies cry only when there is a cause. Find the cause and remove it.
Perhaps he has had too much food
Perhaps he is dressed too warmly
Perhaps he needs a clean diaper
(and my personal favorite)
Perhaps and enemy has given him a pickle."

I was telling my friend (who is expecting) about this book. She noted that alot of people are asking if she will be breast feeding. She said she feels people are getting kind of bold asking after her breasts like that, and sometimes she is temped to tell them that she has decided not to, but she has contracted a wet nurse for the detail.