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Baby Deliveries by Mail: The Surprising History of Sending Children Through the U.S. Postal Service
Tracing an unusual chapter in American history
Imagine delivering your child to a postal worker, stamping their coat, and then sending them off on a trip exactly like any other package. Sounds unthinkable, yet it is true. Still, this method was somewhat popular in rural America in the early 20th century and not only feasible.
Introduction: An odd behavior designed to create trust
Parents all throughout the United States used the recently launched Parcel Post service to “sent” their children on brief excursions, usually to see cousins or grandparents living just beyond walking distance or a horse-drawn carriage ride away.
This unusual habit revealed more than simply a quirk. It showed the great confidence society had in postal workers at a period when contemporary transportation systems were still in their early years. It also demonstrated how creative Americans might be given limited resources.
We will look at the causes of infant deliveries via mail, review particular incidents that made news, and look at why this unusual occurrence finally disappeared. Understanding this odd era in history helps us to grasp…
