In 1925, The Nursery World was born, describing itself as ‘the only weekly paper in the Kingdom devoted to the interests of the greatest profession in the world – the profession of the Nursery’. By the ’50s, there was official merchandise, with the first The Nursery World diary published in 1954 by proprietors Benn Brothers (based at Nursery World’s offices in Bouverie House, 154 Fleet Street).
One copy from 1955, bought for 7 shillings and 6 pence (the equivalent of about £9 today), contained addresses for useful institutions (such as The Unmarried Mother and her Child, and the Association for Tall Women) and telephone number lists (dairy, chimney sweep, coal merchant and ambulance being suggested entries). There was a page to plot baby’s weight on a graph, a place to note husband’s clothing sizes, and sections on first-aid; giving much advice that is in direct contravention with best practice now.
It also listed symptoms of infectious diseases, including not-yet-eradicated diphtheria and smallpox, plus advice on good habits, menus for toddlers, party games, appropriate toys and an advertising section with its own index. ‘Above all you can make this diary your own record book and reminder,’ said the (unnamed) editor of the time, ‘noting in it the date of events in your own and your family’s life, important items of expenditure and all those addresses and telephone numbers that get lost on scraps of paper. This diary comes to you as a friend and guide; see that you get the utmost help and pleasure from it.’
FIRST-AID
Down the throat
‘Pins and safety pins are often passed without trouble, and if they are followed by X-ray pictures taken at intervals it has been found that the intestines usually turn the pin so that the sharp end is pointed backwards as it is carried along.’
Foreign bodies
‘If the foreign body is stuck in the eyeball and cannot be removed by a gentle wipe, it should be left; this also applies to any object lodged in the clear area which covers the pupil or iris. In such cases a drop of castor oil or liquid paraffin should be dropped inside the lower lid and the eye covered with a soft pad or bandage which is just firm enough to keep the eye shut. Then take the child to see a doctor.’
Breath holding
‘Breath holding is met with in infants or toddlers during an outburst of rage. It may be noticed that after beginning to scream, a child throws himself back stiffly and stops breathing. After a little while he becomes blue and unconscious, but once he is unconscious he again becomes limp and begins to breathe. Such an episode may become a habit, and to break the habit it is necessary to make the child breathe before he becomes unconscious. This is usually best achieved by suddenly making him catch his breath by wetting his face with a spongeful of cold water or by giving him a sharp smack. Although this habit of breath holding is unpleasant to witness, it is not dangerous, as breathing always starts again when the child is unconscious.’
Choking
‘A resounding slap such as is often given to anyone who chokes at mealtimes is of no use at all. The thump on the back should be a quick, sharp thump in order to jerk the object forwards and upwards out of the throat.’
Poisoning
‘If the lips or the mouth are burnt, do not make the child sick. If poisoning by strong acids, give magnesia or lime water, to neutralise the acid. Washing soda (1 saltspoonful to a cup of water) may be used, but not bicarbonate of soda as it will effervesce in contact with acid and thus may cause further damage. Milk can be used if nothing else is available.’
The medicine cupboard
‘Aspirin is not for the undiagnosed pain, nor for tummy aches, but to relieve pain which is understood, due to injury, toothache etc. Give roughly 1 grain for each year up to 10 years. Glycerine to soothe sore gums. 1 teaspoonful can be mixed with 1 teaspoonful of brandy (or whisky or gin) and rubbed on. Tincture of iodine painted on the gum around an aching tooth may also be soothing.’
FOOD AND DRINK
Weaning
‘If using fresh milk, use raw Tuberculin Tested if possible. Weaker recipes are necessary for Jersey, Guernsey or goat’s milk. Give only half the advised fat if using Jersey or Guernsey[…] Measure out the exact quantity of cod-liver oil and butter for the day into a small cup; give a little by spoon, cold before each artificial feed until the day’s supply is finished. If frequent motions occur, omit all fat at once and do not press milk mixture.’
A recipe for the first wean (suggested when the baby was eight to nine months) was 3oz of cow’s milk, 4oz of water and one teaspoon of sugar; alternative recipes were given for dried milk. For milk mixtures for newborns, it was suggested that three-day-old babies should be fed 1oz of fresh milk, 4oz of water and one teaspoonful of ‘sugar of milk’ or lactose. ‘On alternate days beat half a raw egg yolk into the day’s milk mixture when cold,’ it adds.
Good habits by the child psychologist
‘Eating. If a dish is refused remove it without question, but do not allow a child to fill up on something preferred. If, however, a child shows a definite dislike of a certain food, e.g. meat, offer an alternative, in this case a protein.
‘Regard mealtimes as a happy social occasion, not as an opportunity for nagging. Get on with your own meal, and talk about things other than food and likes and dislikes.’
The vitamins
Liver was a suggested as a chief source of Vitamin A, B1, B2 and B3, with suggested toddler recipes including stewed liver with parsley, sheep’s brains in parsley sauce, herring roes on toast and banana crispie pudding (sliced banana coated in blancmange and sprinkled with crushed cornflakes and baked for a few minutes).