Being a baby in the 1950s

My mom and I are working on a book that chronicles the life history of my grandpa. Actually, he pretty much wrote his own autobiography - it's over 200 pages long! But, we're trying to put it together with some pictures and other things like certificates that he also saved. It's been fun to get to know him better! Even though I knew him when he was alive, he rarely talked about his life experiences.

In this stash of memorabilia that we have, I found a pamphlet called "Your Baby". It was given to my grandparents when my aunt was born in the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City in 1958. I am SOOOOO thankful that things have changed! I can't imagine having this experience with our baby in the hospital.

Here are a few of the things included in the pamphlet:

• "All babies are kept under close observation in the nursery for at least twelve hours or until the doctor and the nurses feel that the baby is ready to come to you for his feeding."

• "Babies born by Cesarean section are fed in the nursery until the morning of the third day unless the mother feels well enough to handle the baby before this time. However, your baby will be brought to you for at least a few minutes each morning if it is advisable."

• "All babies who weigh more than 5 pounds 8 ounces will be brought to you for feeding at 5:30 am, 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, 5:30 pm and 9:30 pm. The night feeding will be given in the nursery so that you may sleep all night without being disturbed by your own baby."

• "Breast Feeding:
  Breast-fed babies are usually brought to the mother as soon after 12 hours as is practical. Before your milk 'comes in', or until the morning of the third day, your baby will come to you with a small bottle of water. The baby should not be allowed to nurse over three minutes at each nursing before the milk 'comes in', because prolonged nursing causes sore and possible cracked nipples."

• "Bottle Feeding:
  Bottle fed babies are brought to the mother for feedings as soon after 12 hours as seems practical. They are fed nothing but water until the morning of the second day, then formula is started."

Isn't that crazy!! I like having my babies with me, even all night. I can't imagine having the baby drink nothing buy WATER until at least 12 hours has passed!! And, not being able to see them!!Seriously!!