WWI German Wartime Infant Child Care Nutrition Leaflet Kaiserin Auguste Victoria

Original World War I-era German wartime public-health leaflet titled “Kriegsmerkblatt zur Ernährung und Pflege des Säuglings und Kleinkindes”, translating to “Wartime Information Leaflet for the Nutrition and Care of Infants and Small Children.”

The leaflet was prepared by the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria Haus zur Bekämpfung der Säuglingssterblichkeit im Deutschen Reiche — the Empress Auguste Victoria House for Combating Infant Mortality in the German Empire. This organization was an important German maternal and infant welfare institution, and the leaflet provides a fascinating look at civilian life, food shortages and child care on the German home front during WWI.

The opening explains that wartime conditions required changes in the normal feeding and care of children. One striking passage states that even in peacetime bottle-fed infants died at approximately seven times the rate of breast-fed infants, and argues that the dangers of artificial feeding had become still greater during the war because there were fewer cows, shortages of animal feed and consequently less milk available.

Prominent boxed wartime instructions include “Die Kriegsumstände fordern gebieterisch das Stillen von jeder Mutter” — “Wartime circumstances urgently demand breastfeeding by every mother” — and “Die Kriegskost ist auch für die stillende Mutter ausreichend und unschädlich”, explaining that wartime rations were considered sufficient for nursing mothers.

The interior provides extensive practical instructions concerning breastfeeding, milk rations, flour and cereal preparations, potatoes, vegetables, eggs, meat, bread and other foods for infants and young children. It discusses the shortages caused by the war and explains how mothers could substitute available foods. It even advises conserving scarce rubber nipples (Gummisauger) and discusses glass feeding nipples as substitutes.

Additional sections cover hygiene, bathing, conserving soap and washing supplies, children’s sleep and rest, protection against colds and infectious diseases, and obtaining assistance from Fürsorgestellen and Polikliniken (welfare centers and outpatient clinics). Diseases specifically mentioned include measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria and whooping cough.

The publisher is identified at the bottom as the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria Haus zur Bekämpfung der Säuglingssterblichkeit im Deutschen Reiche, Charlottenburg 5, with printing credited to W. W. (Ed.) Klambt, G.m.b.H., Neurode, Schlesien. The leaflet also advertises related publications concerning infant care, protection of infants during hot weather, and guidance for pregnant and postpartum women.

A very interesting piece of WWI German civilian home-front, medical and social-history ephemera, particularly desirable for its detailed discussion of wartime food shortages, rationing, breastfeeding, infant mortality and child health.

The leaflet is a folded four-page publication with all four pages present. Original used condition with age toning, fold lines, creasing, edge/corner wear, small edge tears/nicks and general handling consistent with its age. Printing remains strong and highly legible. Please see photographs for exact condition.

Guaranteed original period item. Item is exactly as shown. We combine shipping and ship every day, including Saturdays.

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