Oh Dr. Spock, I'm glad I didn't live in your day. I kind of like Google and bookstores with endless books on every aspect of babies.
I have been intrigued by reading some of
The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, the main and 'revolutionary' childcare guide in the post-WW2 era, written by Dr. Benjamin Spock. The book was apparently thought of as a better and 'kinder' guide to babies and children, although books geared toward child rearing were few in those days. Some of you may have used this guide yourselves, so some of his advice may not come as a shock to you. However, as a mother of today's age, I find some that is contrary to my own instincts, and downright ludicrous compared to many of the en vogue practices of today's age. Much of it, though, is quite amusing.
Dr. Spock suggests that the baby's wardrobe consist of 3-6 shirts, 3-6 nightgowns, a sweater or two, and hats (all 1-year size). Socks are not needed for several months. A typical guide today would include 4-6 onesies, 4-6 playsuits, 2-4 shirts, 2-4 pants, 2-3 sweaters, 3-4 pajamas, 2 sleepsacks, 2-4 socks, 2 mittens, 2-3 hats, and 1 sunhat. Size newborn of course.
I would assume that in Dr. Spock's day they didn't have a new clothing size every three months, but one size for a whole year? I guess it would be frugal, but girls, you missed out on a lot of shopping! No wonder I often hear from older women, "They make such cute clothes for babies nowadays..."
As a side note, I would like to point out that my mother and aunt never read and followed the no-sock advice. They would both go into near hysterics if Penelope ever was seen without socks. In a warm house, they were always concerned that she would instantly 'catch cold' without having socks on.
Some of the first few things Dr. Spock says about the actual baby, are "Don't be afraid of him," and that he is "usually disappointing looking" after birth. How encouraging! (The baby is always referred to as a male.)
Dr. Spock did encourage breastfeeding, and told women that it didn't mean that they would 'lose their figure,' and they could still lead a normal life while doing so! (However, if a nursing mother became 'nervously upset,' milk production can dwindle. Nervously upset, huh?
Apparently in 1950 you didn't run to the store for formula. You...ahem....
made it. A typical recipe was 10 ounces of evaporated milk, 20 ounces of water, and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup for a newborn for one day. CORN SYRUP!!! The biggest evil by today's health standards. That's 32 grams of sugar, nearly the recommended daily value for an ADULT!
I think I need a few minutes to mull that over. You never did this to me, RIGHT, MOM?!?!
To be continued....I've got about 490 more pages to read before knowing how to raise a child.
