Welcome to the supplemental material for Episode 30 discussing babies in wartime and all the shortages that affected their young lives from safety pins and diapers to food and formula.
One of the things discussed was babies in wartime propaganda and commercial/political art. Here are some great images that I found in my research*:
*To see the full list of my resources, see the end of this post.
I didn't have time to discuss it in the episode, but this great cartoon illustrates the huge childcare problem women faced during WWII. The government expected more women to enter the workforce, but it would be some time before enough childcare to meet the ever present need would follow.
So many shortages!
One of the most concerning shortages: health care. Women were encouraged to learn home nursing to take care of their own children and basic community needs.
The following are some great baby ads I came across in my collections while doing research:
Cookbook Feature: The Prenatal Diet, date unknown (but the inside has a patriotic theme characteristic of wartime booklets like this.)
Featured recipe: Scalloped Noodles and Stuffed Eggs
RESOURCES
Websites:
Who Took Care of Rosie the Riveter’s Kids?
Child Care: The Federal Role During World War II
Black History Month: A Medical Perspective: Hospitals, The Black Hospital Movement (1865 - 1960's)
Segregation in United States Healthcare: From Reconstruction to Deluxe Jim Crow by Kerri L. Hunkele (This is a really fascinating paper with important findings!)
National Archives Images:
To Expectant Mothers: A Good Diet Will Supply Your Needs And Your Baby’s. World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
How to Care For Your Child While You Are at Work. World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
For Baby’s Future, Buy War Bonds. (NAID 514280) World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
For Baby’s Future, Buy War Bonds. (NAID 514279) World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
To Have and To Hold - Buy War Bonds. World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
Learn to Guard the Home Front. World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
“It not only amuses the baby – It makes this dingbat easier to lift.” World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
“What D’Ya Mean - Ya Ain’t Gonna Buy No Bonds?” World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
Keep These Hands Off! Buy the New Victory Bonds. World War II Posters Series, Office of War Information, National Archives, 1941-1945.
Magazines/Newspapers:
Farm Journal & Farmer's Wife, March 1942
Ladies Home Journal, November 1944
Life, 15 February 1943
McCall's, March 1942
Read, January 1945
Newspapers used in research accessed via Newspapers.com
Episode 30 - Look What the Stork Dropped In
So much great info here-- thanks for your time spent researching & sharing. My day job is healthcare provider. There's a drastic nursing shortage about to hit the U.S., far worse than we're already experiencing. Unfortunately, the healthcare system encouraged dependency from the public in the latter half of the 20th century, and people will have to re-learn those home nursing skills. History may not repeat, but it rhymes at times...we ought to bring back those Red Cross classes!