12/13/2025
What were baby cages?
From the 1910s to the 1930s, wire "baby cages" were attached to apartment windows in cities so infants could be placed outside for sunlight and fresh air.
Why did people use them?
The idea came from the early 20th-century "fresh air" movement, which promoted outdoor exposure to combat tuberculosis and improve child health. Pediatric advice at the time encouraged letting babies nap outdoors or by open windows, even in cold weather, to "harden" them against illness.
What did they look like?
The cages were metal mesh enclosures that projected from the outside of a window, with a solid floor fixed to the window frame. Some had small roofs and roll-down curtains for shade or wind protection. In 1922, Emma Read of Spokane, Washington, even patented a "portable baby cage."
Where were they used?
Mostly in tenements and small flats without balconies or yards. Parents wanted their children to have outdoor exposure, but lacked private outdoor space. They were particularly popular in some London neighborhoods and in some larger US cities.
Why did they disappear?
The obvious risk was a fall if the cage, window, or fastenings failed. There were also concerns about exposure to street pollution, weather, and falling objects. By the mid-20th century, shifting norms around child safety and changing pediatric advice led to their decline. Today, they're viewed as a curious and unsafe historical fad.
What this reminds us:
What we consider "best practice" today will likely look very different in another 100 years.
What surprised you most about this piece of history?
