In a New Zealand Plunket Baby Record book dated 1954 there are 12 needs listed for a baby.
Numbers 5 and 11 tell us something of the advice that was given to mothers back then:
“BATHING – Bath and dress very quickly in a cosy corner. No dawdling
MANAGEMENT – Fond and foolish over-indulgence, mismanagement and “spoiling” may be as harmful to an infant as callous neglect and intentional cruelty.”
In comparison in 1986 the Baby’s Health and Development book had this advice:
” It takes time to love and understand your baby. Most of all, your baby needs you to be nice to him. He loves to smell and touch your skin.
Whenever your bath and change him, he loves hugs and kisses, smiles and songs, and talk.”
ordinarygoodness 
Amazing how things have changed.
Thank goodness they have.