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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Elastic belt for babies, English, 1800-1870
Do you have an ‘innie’ or an ‘outie’? The belly button is the remnant of a foetal feeding tube called the umbilical cord. This connects mother and baby within the womb. The tube is severed after birth. This belt binded the baby around the waist after birth to flatten the umbilicus and protect this area during the baby’s first days. It is made of silk, elastic and kid (goat) hair.
Details
- Category:
- Nursing & Hospital Furnishings
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A630833
- Measurements:
-
overall: 2 mm x 373 mm x 68 mm, 0.008 kg
- type:
- belt
- credit:
- Thornton, W.
