Baby care circa 1929

You can tell a lot about a person’s life by going through their things while preparing for an estate sale. This is especially true when the mother has saved things from the blessed day when she gave birth to her first child. I still have the hospital bracelet from my firstborn who will be thirty-one in April. I guess mamas just save that kind of stuff.

In this case, the baby’s family was well to do and was able to go to a big city hospital for the blessed event. The Henry Ford Hospital sent nursing instructions home with the young mother to feed the baby every two hours. We found Western Union telegrams sent to and from the new parents.  

The baby’s first year book had some interesting instructions for the care of baby. The baby care book said to not bathe the baby until he or she was ten days old, to not allow the baby to suck his fingers or pacifier and not to play with the baby until it was at least six months old and not to over excite the baby or it could cause harm. The book also recommends making sure the baby gets fresh air but no drafts and to make sure the baby had a personal handkerchief that was never used by others.  

As the baby grew, the doctors recommended the following foods: orange juice with a half ounce of cod liver oil, applesauce and a piece of zwiebch or hard toastand cereal with prune pulp.  His formula consisted of five ounces of milk, 3 ounces of water and 3 teaspoons of Karo syrup.  The Gerber baby food company had just started in 1928 but most people were using their home made baby food which consisted of Farina, barley, broths and shredded meats and vegetables.

The little outfits we found were delicate smocked gowns and little boy suits where the shorts buttoned to the shirt. Diapers were just pieces of cloth pinned on. There were no plastic pants or Pampers.  Remember also that there were no modern washing machines and dryers either. Luckily the wealthy could afford nursemaids and other household help. Being a mom is a challenge but can you imagine raising many children without indoor plumbing and the modern conveniences we take for granted? Happy Collecting!