Welcome back to The British Food History Podcast. Today I am talking with Deborah Alben and Amy Palmer about the history of children’s food. Deborah Albon is a former early years professional and Amy Palmer is a former infant teacher, and both are lecturers at the University of Roehampton, London. They have written a book called First Helpings: A History of Children’s Food. It’s comprehensive, well-researched and an entertaining read. I recommend it.
We talk about the early years: the changing ideas about breastfeeding and wet nurses, the Victorian moralistic ideas surrounding withholding food, weaning the kids on wine and turtle doves, and children’s birthday parties, amongst many other things.
Those listening to the secret podcast get 20 minutes of bonus material where we discuss in more depth Deborah and Amy’s approach to writing the book, breastmilk alternatives, including the changing advice with respect to formula milk, creepy feeding schedules plus more.
The British Food History Podcast is available on all podcast apps. Alternatively, you can stream it via this Spotify embed:
First Helpings: A History of Children’s Food
Follow Deborah and Amy on Instagram @albonandpalmer
Season 10 of the podcast is sponsored by Netherton Foundry, makers of high-quality kitchen and outdoor cookware. Netherton Foundry ships to several countries outside of the UK, including the USA and Canada. Visit www.netherton-foundry.co.uk to find out more about their wonderful products – approved not just by me but by folk such as Tom Parker-Bowles, Diana Henry and Nigella Lawson.
The mixing and sound engineering was by Thomas Ntinas of The Delicious Legacy podcast
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Things mentioned in today’s episode
Previous pertinent podcast episodes
Retro Foods with Briony May Williams
The School Meals Service with Heather Ellis
Food in Gothic Literature with Alessandra Pino
Previous pertinent blog posts
Neil’s blogs and YouTube channel
The British Food History Channel
Neil’s books:
Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential Housekeeper
Knead to Know: a History of Baking
Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email me at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or leave a comment here.
British Food: A History 