Mom and Dad are here visiting for the weekend and Mom brought up a box that is fascinating me. The contents prove how much times sure have changed since 1966 when I was born. This vintage shoe box that she brought to me is full of baby cards, newspaper clippings and other general printed material that she collected around the time of my birth. It's interesting to see how all the baby cards look exactly alike, yet so different. The greeting card companies must have all used the same baby template for each of their pictures. They also had glitter-happy people working for them. The fonts on all these cards are so similar as well. It's hilarious.
Get this! There's a sheet here from Akron General Hospital Instructions for Mothers on Breastfeeding. (Pardon the openness of this content, but if you have ever breastfed, you will find this a bit humorous.)
I. Initial Breast Care:
A. The first day a nurse will shave under your arms and remove any hair around the nipple.
B. She will then cleanse the breast.
C. A breast binder or bra should be worn after this.
D. You will be given a crib sheet to be used when the baby is with you.
1. Place the baby on the crib sheet.
2. Never place the baby on your sheet. Always use a crib sheet.
3. After baby has left, fold the sheet - clean side in and place in paper bag.
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IV. Nursing Your Baby
A. The baby will come to breast the first time after 24 hours.
B. The nurse will give you some solution (Aq. Zephiran) to rinse your hands after you have placed the crib sheet - clean side out - on the bed.
C. Then she will cleanse your nipple with a sterile cotton ball.
D. She will then assist the baby in starting to nurse.
E. Be sure you are in a comfortable and relaxed position before the nurse leaves the room.
F. We have set up a nursing schedule for you to use. The routine is as follows:
1. 1st and 2nd day - 5 minutes at breast
2. 3rd and 4th day - 7 minutes at breast
3. 5th and 6th day - 10 minutes at breast
4. 7th and 8th day - 12 minutes at breast
5. 9th and 10th day - 15 minutes at breast
6. 11th and 12th day - 20 minutes at breast
Try to follow this schedule and you will have a happier breastfeeding experience.
VII The first night the baby is rarely brought to you at 2:00a.m. so you can get some extra rest; and since the baby does not get any milk, he won't mind!
Ok, that was probably too much information for some of you, but I was laughing so hard at this! There were also a few points in there where they encouraged you not to touch your belt while holding your baby. Those of you who were ever fortunate enough (choke!) to wear a "belt", you know what I mean.
Then, Mom also has a whole stack of menu slips that she kept from the hospital. She got to choose from things like Cream of Asparagus Soup and Corn Fritters with Maple Syrup to Baby Beef Liver or Creamed Chicken on Biscuit. One day she had Beef Croquettes with Mushroom Gravy and Molded Bing Cherry Salad with Mayonnaise and a Baked Custard for dessert! Hmmm. I think I remember having canned chicken soup one day with some saltine crackers. Another day I had a piece of "meat" that had some paste, or maybe it was gravy, on top. AND on top of all that delicious sounding food that she had, Mom was encouraged to stay as many days as she needed before she decided she was ready to go home!
Here's another laugh! A brochure that says on the front: 3 Important "How To's" for Hospital Patients. Inside it says: 1.) How to get a room with a view: WATCH TV! 2.) How to surround yourself with stars: WATCH TV! 3.) How to put interest in every minute: WATCH TV! And...how to turn four walls into a world of entertainment: It's easy, with TV in your room! $1.90 per day plus sales tax!
Boy! Did they have it made back then! Time sure have changed! Thanks for sharing what it was like to have a baby back in 1966, Mom. It was enlightening for me.
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7 comments:
I understand why so many women didn't nurse back then! AND WHY CAN'T WE STAY IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER CHILDBIRTH FOR AS LONG AS WE WANT NOW????? (I think the stay would lengthen based on the number of children already at home....) And that food thing, when Tony was in ICU last year, HE had menus with great selections all day long, whenever he wanted. Why is it after childbirth, you only get a cup of broth and maybe a sandwich??? And the rest of the time you get about half a serving of a meal, with no choices? Oh well, motherhood is it's own reward!
And what about all those poor babies since the beginning of time whose mothers DID NOT SHAVE?
and my nipples have never been steralized....
wow, that sounded so complicated?!
arlene,
Lakewood florist
Hey, Mar, to defend myself:
Look how wonderful you turned out after all that attention "the baby" got at the hospital!!
I know a lot of things chaned even in the next 9 years, until Dianne was born. (no shaving, for sure) I can see that women nowadays are just as healthy, have medical instructions, too, and their babies are just as cute!
Glad I brought you a box of laughs :) Love, Mom
How thoughtful of your mom to save you such a nice box of memorabilia! And how sweet that you enjoyed it so very much!--I had no idea you were supposed to stick your baby under your armpit when feeding- but what do I know- my children were born in the late 70's and 80's. Somewhere inbetween the then and now-I was happy to leave as soon as possible- and the menu sounds good- but ist was STILL hospital food!
In defense of Akron General Hospital (my alma mater), their breast feeding routine changed before my daughter was born 7 mo. after you were. No shaving arm pits or nipples. (And I didn't have to stick her under my arm pit either)
As for the food, AGH always did have half way decent food. (I survived 3 yrs. of it.)
I had a box of stuff saved for my dughter also, but, alas, it went up in smoke when we had the fire.
As for the length of stay, yes, it was a bit longer than today...thanks to utilization reviews and the "modern" insurance plans. They literally kick you out much too soon! Geive me the olden days, anytime!
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