The Care and Feeding of Infants

Mellin's Food Co.

Published by Mellin Food Co., Boston, 1907

About this Item

8vo., stiff wrappers, with its original glassine over-wrap. A lesson-book for new mothers, showing how (and what) to feed their babies. Obvious commercial purposes, but a fascinating look back at the early concepts of baby-care and feeding, from the non-maternal sources. The company's milk product was advertised as an alternative to other milk, such as cow's, for slightly older infants. It was made of malt sugar and dextrine, which were advertised as a safer alternative to the cane sugar and cow's milk products, which were held to be unhealthy for infants, the "curd" being un-digestible and prone to make infants sick, when passing thru the digestive route. Feeding interval charts, tips, bottle tips and the like are described in this 62 pg. mother's helper, which is liberally adorned with happy, chubby infants, in period dress and poses. The book continues on past infant-care to nursery care and other subjects important to its audience, such as clothing, signs of illness, and similar aids, which on the whole probably gave better advice than the ignorance which generally shrouded these subjects in the early 19th century. An uncommon item, with obvious tie-in to the commercialization of the baby food industry that was to come. (JM) Very good condition in glassine dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 2814

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Care and Feeding of Infants

Publisher: Mellin Food Co., Boston

Publication Date: 1907

Binding: Softcover

Edition: Edition / printing not stated.