Consuming Interest
Next Generation
ADRIAN
By LESLIE FACED with a naked baby and an empty nursery, what does the new mother really need—apart from a nanny and a large bank account? (If anyone wants to cut out here, go ahead, but just remember that you may be a father.your- self one day.) Right: nappies, for a start. Good, old-fashioned turkish towelling is still the best. Everyone nowadays swears by the T-shaped ones made by Beautex. They're more expensive, but they're easier to manipulate, especially for fathers, and they look less bulky when the baby is older. Square or T-shaped, you still need muslin squares for extra protection and they're useful for use as mopping-up rags or for covering father's shoulder when he's burping the baby. Or you can use pieces of soluble Nappy Roll from Boots at 2s.
Boots do practically everything and cheaper than anyone else: baby lotion, baby-soap, cream, powder and nappies. While you're there, they also stock the best feeding bottle, the Freflow, unfortunately the most expensive at 3s. 6d., but it has a wide neck and is of clear plastic so that you can see whether the bubbles are coming up or whether the baby is living in a fool's paradise. The screw top helps when you are travelling.
Young mothers tend to overdress new babies to the point of giving them heat rashes. A good way of avoiding this danger is to inVest in Dr. Deimel mesh nightdresses and vests. The initial outlay is heavy, but they last for ever and can be 'worn in winter and summer. You'll find these at Simple Garments, Sloane Street,
who also have the most beautifully made hand- smocked baby 'clothes: just the place to let a rich godmother .or generous grandmother loose in. Also good for hand-mades are Hayford's of Sloane Street and Phyllis Law of George Street, WI. Hand-made clothes have the, great advan- tage that the turnings are huge, they can, be altered or let down aJmost,ad infinitum and are almost indestructible. Make up for this extrava- gance by getting everything basic at Marks and Spencer's, who are unbeatable for one-year-olds and up—though lacking somewhat for a really young baby. The growing-out process can be counteracted with Babygro suits, available in sizes from birth to 30 lbs. They are made of stretch- ing material and cover the child from shoulder to toe (Harrods and Fenwick's, 31s. 6d.).
Manufacturers now use a good deal of com- mon sense in the design of baby equipment. It may be worth reminding older generations among family and friends that . . . a lobster-pot type. of playpen (Peter Jones, 8 gns.) squashes down easily and can be hidden behind a door or under a bed when not in use . . . 39s. 6d. buys a plastic mat to put on the floor of a playpen and use later for picnics . . . a playpen without a floor may result in your being chased across the nursery by child and playpen . . . the insides of prams and pram hoods may look nice in white, but are easier on baby's eyes and show the dirt less if they are dark-lined'. . . you can get a rubber bath with canvas lid for changing baby on, complete with strap to anchor the child while you turn round (Harrods, £6 15s.) . . . fold-up things don't necessarily fold up easily; a deft demonstration by an ambidexterous salesman may well involve you in twenty minutes' hard labour, at the end of which you and a screaming baby are covered' in oil.
Whenever you take a. baby out of the house, with you there is a large collection of necessary items to take along. Put them all in a plastic kitbag (Peter Jones, 18s. 11d.). If you want to take the infant with you to dinner-parties during the first few months, the plastic Top and Tail mattress (Harrods, 29s. 3d.) will prevent horrible accidents on your hostess's furniture.
Peter Jones have a fine selection of cane cradles, painted white or to be painted by you. But when you reach the cot stage, remember the plain, unvarnished kind wears better and shows teeth marks a lot less. Heal's, superb for nursery furniture, stock a car safety seat by Jecnay at £6 18s. 6d. which won't move even if the car overturns. This has a chair attachment and a feeding tray (extras, costing £1 16s.) to make the whole thing into a high-chair for use at home.
High-chairs ought to fold up easily and not take up half the kitchen. Very few do fold up and I'd be glad to hear of a good, inexpensive one. Harrods have an American one at 110, but I wish I could find a cheaper one. Talking of chairs, a friend of mine is ecstatic about the Infanseat, 55s. 11d.: 'A sort of baby chair that you can dump them in from the word go, as good as another pair of hands and a great pacifier. Later, it hooks over the back of a car seat-super!'
You'll no doubt pick up your own tips on a multitude of things from contemporary mothers. My list includes the following:
Nursery fireguards can be made to size by E. Lloyd of 37 Endell Street, WC1, TEMple 8772. The advertisements in the Nursery World are very useful for finding nannies and second-hand equipment, especially nanny-maintained prams, which you can often get at half of cost price. Nursery walls can be plain rather than decor- ated; you can decorate them later with paintings by three-year-olds. Bottle-warmers are marvellou, but make sure you get one that your bottles will fit into. John Dobbie of Wimbledon has beauti- ful felt pictures (cut-outs), 14s. 6d., that you make yourself. Try getting an older child to help you make them for the baby. It may help the older child to get over its jealousy of the baby. The Owl and the Pussy Cat in Flask Walk, Hampstead, sell a lovely fish mobile in print material to hang over the cot (£1 16s.).
Most successful cheap present for a child: a nylon net bag for a couple of bob at any super- market. A toddler can carry all its treasures around in it. Best present for a new mother: a six-month subscription to a nappy service (Sun White or Baby Ward).
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