I left Mirinda to work at home today as I left for the Science Museum for my Monday volunteering. It’s been so long since my first day that I’d completely forgotten what I was supposed to be doing so I had to ask Kevin. I felt a right idiot! Still, it didn’t take too long and I was soon back into the swing of things.

The medical stuff I do on Mondays is not as interesting as the Art Project however, I did find out something I didn’t know. Apparently, in the late Victorian age, pewter nipple shields were all the rage. Dr Wansborough invented them in 1842. And they only cost 2 shillings for a pair. Dr Wansborough’s Pewter Nipple Shields. Just the thing for cracked and sore nipples.

The idea was that the pewter would prevent the cracking and irritation. The trouble is that pewter is mainly lead and there was a bit of a rise in lead poisoning among babies. Mother’s were advised to wash their nipples and the shield before feeding their tots but, it seems, some did not.

I found two interesting letters sent to the British Medical Journal in 1949. They were in response to an article condemning the use of the pewter shields. One was from RG Howatt who was concerned that the lead would poison the babies and should be banned. In fact, by this time, according to the doctor, they were a bit of an antique item anyway as he couldn’t buy one anywhere.

The second letter was from R McLaren Todd, a nursing mother who had used the lead shields while nursing her three babies and, just about to have her fourth, was concerned what she could use instead. She was very worried that they would be removed from sale without first giving nursing mothers another option.

Anyway, they were banned and these days they’re all plastic. However, it made me wonder about the weight and discomfort. I know they were only small but the part they were designed to protect would be awfully tender. Surely.

Besides, Maw’s came out with a glass one later in the 1800s so I’m amazed that Mrs McLaren Todd hadn’t heard of them. Maybe she figured the older one was best. Maybe she didn’t believe in doctors either. Possibly a gypsy told her what to do.