Infant feeding bottle, Mellin's, Mellin's Food, c. 1900 to 1940

Historical information

Feeding bottles of this shape were on sale from 1900 for about 40 years. The Allenbury feeder devised by Allen & Hanburys, U.K. was the first of this type. They were easier to clean and the mild flow was easier to regulate.
Source: Kevill-Davies, Sally. "Yesterday's Children: The Antiques and History of Childcare"

Mellin's Food was a company which produced patent milk solids and cereal preparations from c1860s. English food chemist Gustav Mellin developed an infant food formula in the late 1860s, dubbed Mellin's Food, which became the most widely used mass produced food at this time.
Source: Andrew Smith (2013). "Baby Food". The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. ISBN 9780199734962.

Physical description

Glass feeding bottle. Bottle is loosely boat shaped with flat base, and neck and openings at either end. There is a small flattened area on the base to allow the bottle to balance. Writing embossed into bottle reads 'MELLIN'S FOOD' and 'TABLE SPOONS'. Graduated markings for months of age and tablespoons. Visible join seams on bottle.

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