What did mothers feed their babies in the 1950s and 1960s? All about formula

The need for baby formula for children who were unable to be breastfed prompted formula development in the 1800s. Baby formulas were considered by the general public to be perfect for babies’ nutritional needs, but were, in fact, made from ingredients, such as cow’s milk, grains, sugars, or canned evaporated milk, that were not supported by science for being nutritionally sound. Furthermore, because germ theory was not widely accepted at that time, the use of baby formulas could be quite unsafe for the children who consumed them.

The history of how mothers fed their babies later in the 1950s and 1960s evolved in interesting ways.

What did mothers feed their babies in the 1950s

Old-fashioned home-made baby formula

Feeding formula to babies from bottles was originally a dangerous endeavor. It was not a common practice to sterilize bottles and nipples, nor was germ theory commonly accepted. However, by the time the 1950s rolled around, bottle feeding had become much safer than it was in the 1800s.

During the 50s, hospitals often gave the mothers of newborn infants feeding instructions that included recipes for homemade baby formula. Formulas in the 1950s often contained a mixture of cow’s milk or canned, evaporated milk, Karo syrup, distilled water, and sometimes Dextri0Maltose #1. or other ingredients, such as liquid Poly-Vi-Sol vitamins. Hospitals dispensed related recipes and feeding instructions about how and when to feed infants.

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Did mothers breastfeed in the 1950s?

As long as there have been babies, some mothers breastfed them. However, the practice has been in and out of the spotlight through the decades. While mothers did breastfeed in the 1950s, it was not uncommon for a mother to be informed that her breastmilk was too thin, following a hospital-endorsed promotion for baby formula replacement. Prior to that time, nursing mothers were usually thought of as only those who were poor, and the attitude toward formula was that it was for the busy modern woman on the go. During the 1800s, it was in vogue for women to hire wetnurses or to use slaves to nurse their children prior to the introduction of baby formula.

The Le Leche League was formed in the 1950s and had a lasting effect on breastfeeding and breastfeeding education that still exists today. Since breastfeeding was discouraged by the medical community at that time, the organization was able to reach out to mothers who were having problems breastfeeding, and who needed support.

Was there baby formula in the 1950s?

Although baby formula did exist in the 1950s in the United States, these formulas were less developed than they would become in the 1960s and forward, when they became the standard for baby nutrition. As breastfeeding had declined at that time, the formula became popular for its ease of use and low prices. It was advertised as being medically approved, its use was encouraged by many doctors, and it was convenient for women who wanted to enter the workforce.

In 1952 and 1953, the heat processing of baby formula caused it to lose important levels of Vitamin B, causing a number of infants to test positive for Vitamin B deficiencies. This led to the addition of vitamins to infant formulas, but this was not fully implemented until the 1960s.

Powdered formulas and plant-based formulas were also introduced in the 1950s.

What did mothers feed their babies in the 1950s?

The first commercial baby food on the market was a type of vegetable soup that contained a beef broth base. As the baby food industry grew in subsequent years, a wider variety of foods was introduced.

However, by the time the 1950s rolled around, many of the flavors, such as veal and liver that were sold as baby food during the 40s were dropped, and manufacturers of baby food began to focus more on the way they tasted, hypothesizing that if the foods tasted good to parents, they would be more likely to purchase it for their infants. It was at this point that baby food manufacturers began adding artificial flavors and sugars on a regular basis.

They also introduced foods with more consistent textures, such as smoothly pureed peas, carrots, and fruits. Gradually, the sweetness of the fruits began to substitute for added sugars, and combinations of fruits and vegetables, such as applesauce and pureed carrots, were introduced.

What did mothers feed their babies in the 1960s?

In addition to commercial baby formula, commercial baby food sold in jars also gained popularity during the 1960s. Beginning in the late 50s and on into the 1960s, parents were advised to introduce solid foods to their infants from between 4 to 6 weeks of age, with some pediatricians even recommending parents begin feeding babies solids within 24 hours after their births. Cereals, such as Pablum, were high on the list of solids that were recommended to be babies’ first solids.

Baby foods that included such ingredients as sugar, salt, and other ingredients that are deemed unnecessary today were used simply because social opinion dictated that if something was promoted by doctors, then it must be OK. Artificial formulas were advertised as being scientifically created and were promoted, at that time, as being more nutritious than human breastmilk.

During the 1960s, the Food and Drug Administration had not established any regulations concerning what ingredients baby foods should contain.

That said, it is interesting to note that baby food packaging that was manufactured between the 1950s and the 1970s did not make any claims about the food being particularly wholesome, nor were jars and boxes labeled as being natural or farm fresh, as they are today. There was, however, one dubious label that was found on baby food cereals during the 1960s. The term, “Jet Cooked” was so labeled to give consumers the impression that the cereal had been processed using high-technology processes, which illustrated that at that time period, the more foods had been processed, the more science-backed it, so it was considered by many to be better. Another interesting fact about the labeling of baby food was that there were no age recommendations on the labels.

A counterculture movement best known as hippies did advocate for less processing and more natural foods during the 1960s, but there were no major manufacturers that carried natural brands until the next decade. Some specialty and health food stores did, however, sell portable food grinders that enabled parents to hand-grind adult foods to feed to their babies, and the hippie movement advocated using natural organic produce for this purpose.

Baby formula recipes from the 1950s

Typically, a baby formula recipe from the 1950s would include something along the lines of 13 ounces of evaporated milk or fresh cow’s milk, 2 teaspoons of Karo syrup, and 20 ounces of water, with various vitamins, carbohydrates and fats added. The recipes varied in small ways but were primarily based on this example. Parents were advised to boil the water for 10 minutes before feeding it to infants.

In addition, babies were fed water twice a day, 2 h=ounces of tea, and, beginning at age 10 days, vitamin drops. At just under two weeks, mothers were advised to give their babies orange juice diluted with water to prevent scurvy.

Baby formula recipes from the 1960s with a caveat

Iron-fortified baby formula was first introduced in the 1960s, but many physicians and parents were reluctant to use it because it was believed that these formulas could cause constipation, fussy babies, and different types of intestinal disturbances.

A milk-based formula that was similar in ingredients to human milk was introduced in 1962.

With shortages of baby formula in 2022, a typical baby formula recipe from the 1960s was revised and parents began to make it at home. As previously noted, the recipe calls for adding cow’s milk or evaporated will and corn (Karo) syrup into distilled water and feeding this to babies. This was the most widely used homemade baby formula during the 1960s and 50s. This recipe was widely spread on social media and parents started to use the resurrected recipe across America.

Pediatricians across the bounty began to advise parents that the recipe is not backed by science, and it can cause both short-term and long-term harm. The doctors warned parents that not only can this formula recipe make babies sick. It can also deprive them of the important nutrients necessary for healthy growth.

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What did mothers do before formula?

Before formula was invented, and for some time afterward, women either breastfed their babies or counted on wetnurses to do it for them. The practice of wet nursing started as early as 2000 BC and lasted well into the 20th century. Throughout this period of time, the practice evolved from a necessity to a choice, and eventually became a profession that had the same types of contracts and laws to regulate it as many jobs have today. Use of wet nurses tampered off after the invention of the feeding nipple during the 19th century.

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