Definition of feeding bottle

The term "feeding bottle" initially gained traction in the late 19th century as a response to the rising popularity of artificial feeding methods for infants. Prior to this time, most babies were fed breast milk directly from their mothers or wet nurses. However, as more women entered the workforce and formula feeding became more widely accepted, manufacturers began creating bottles and nipples to facilitate the process. The name "feeding bottle" was chosen to describe these products because they were essentially bottles used for feeding, as opposed to the traditional purpose of a bottle (namely, holding liquid). The term "feeding" here refers to the act of nourishing an infant or animal, emphasizing the product's functional roots. In the early 1900s, the phrase "baby bottle" began to replace "feeding bottle," possibly to reflect the growing sentiment that bottle feeding should remain more or less a temporary solution for infants. However, the term "feeding bottle" persists in some contexts, particularly in the medical field, where it's used to describe bottles specifically designed for feeding animals or patients who are unable to drink on their own. Ultimately, while the precise origins of the term "feeding bottle" are unclear, it's clear that it reflects a time when society's relationship to infant feeding was undergoing a significant shift, driven by advances in science, technology, and the changing needs of working families.