By Rebekah Scroggy, RN BSN IBCLC
Baby bottles are a staple of modern parenting, but their history is more fascinating than most realize. From ancient clay vessels to glass and BPA-free plastic, the evolution of baby bottles reflects changing attitudes toward infant feeding, breastfeeding, and formula feeding. While not every parent can (or could!) breastfeed, alternative feeding methods have always existed—and continue to evolve.
Ancient Baby Bottles and Early Feeding Vessels
Long before modern baby bottles, mothers who couldn't breastfeed relied on wet nurses—women who breastfed another person's child. Wet nurses were sometimes servants, slaves, or paid professionals, depending on the era. However, not every family had access to a wet nurse, leading to the development of alternative feeding methods.
A major breakthrough in understanding early infant feeding practice came in 2019 when scientists analyzed ancient cups and bowls discovered in the 1990s. Residue inside these vessels revealed traces of animal milk, suggesting they functioned as early baby bottles. This finding was groundbreaking, offering insight into how ancient civilizations nourished their infants.
Early Baby Bottle Materials: Horns, Clay, and Ceramics
As civilizations advanced, so did baby bottles. Materials such as cow horns, clay, and ceramics were used to create feeding vessels for infants. As industrialization progressed, more refined materials like porcelain, glass, pewter, and other metals were introduced. However, early bottles were difficult to clean properly, which, combined with a lack of knowledge about bacteria and sterilization, unfortunately led to many infant deaths.
The Banjo Bottle: Innovation with Serious Hygiene Issues
One of the most fascinating early baby bottles was shaped like a banjo and marketed with nationalistic names like "Little Cherub" and "The Nationalist." These bottles allowed babies to feed themselves using a rubber tube, which was considered innovative at the time. Due to cost constraints, many lower income families repurposed old liquor bottles as baby bottles instead. The biggest issue with this bottle that earned the nickname Murder Bottle? Cleaning recommendations stated they only needed to be washed every 2-3 weeks! This lack of hygiene contributed to widespread infant illness and mortality due to gastrointestinal infections. Fortunately, scientific advancements eventually led to safer feeding practices.
How Baby Bottles Evolved in the 20th Century
During the 1900s, as formula became popular and breastfeeding declined, baby bottles saw a major transformation. The standard bottle shape we recognize today emerged, followed by the invention of screw-on bottle necks, which significantly improved usability. Glass and plastic became the preferred materials for bottles, and with the rise of industrial manufacturing, baby feeding options expanded.
As breastfeeding advocacy gained momentum in the early 2000s, bottle feeding no longer exclusively meant formula feeding. The first commercial breast pumps, introduced in the late 1990s, allowed breastfeeding parents to store milk for later use, making bottles an essential tool for both formula-feeding and breastfeeding families.
Modern Baby Bottles: BPA-Free, Glass & Stainless Steel Options
In the early 2000s, research revealed that baby bottles contained BPA, a harmful chemical that could leach into breastmilk and formula. As a result, many retailers and manufacturers pulled plastic baby bottles from the shelves. This led to the widespread adoption of BPA-free baby bottles, and alternatives such as glass and stainless steel have gained popularity. Many Ceres Chill families, for example, prefer using the Inner Chamber with a bottle top over traditional baby bottles!
“Breast-Like” Bottle Designs: Marketing vs. Functionality
Today, many baby bottles are advertised as "breast-like" or "close to nature" to appeal to breastfeeding parents. However, the round shape of some bottle nipples can actually make transitioning between breast and bottle more difficult by encouraging a shallow latch. Additionally, bottle regulations remain inconsistent—one brand’s "slow" flow nipple might be faster than another brand’s "fast" flow nipple, creating confusion for parents.
What’s Next for Baby Bottle Design and Feeding Innovation?
What’s next in baby bottle innovation? Whether you're feeding breastmilk or formula, choosing the right bottle matters.
💬 Share your thoughts or experiences with baby bottles in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
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