Then and now: infant feeding in Britain, 1900-1914

In contrast to today's infant formulae, which are nutritionally complete and/or conform to strict national and EC standards, no such products existed at the turn of the century. Infant mortality was high, especially among artificially fed babies. Raw cow's milk was unhygienic and a safe water supply for dilution was uncertain. Patent foods were often similar to those marketed for adults and had little resemblance to human milk. Condensed milk, though sterilised, was also far removed from human milk in content. The threat of the First World War and the falling birth rate led to greater interest in infant survival, health and feeding.