Why is there a Silver Spoon
in Your Mouth?

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of giving silver baby spoons, silver baby rattles and silver teething rings started?  Some sources state that mouthing silver helped babies survive through disease and plague during the middle ages. These are now treasured heirlooms that have been passed down through generations and indeed have their basis in fact.

History tells us that the wealthy gifted babies with silver to promote their health.  Silver was thought to disrupt bacteria.  Some contemporary studies support this theory while other dispute it but, regardless which side of the science is correct, the history remains and tells us the tale of silver being  used to preserve food and water supplies and of silver utensils being used in the middle ages to protect against the plague.  In England less than 25% of the wealthy population died during the plague of the 14th century while this figure was 40 to 50% for the peasantry, according to Norman F. Cantor, writing in his book, In the Wake of the Plague.

Settlers of the American West used silver dollars in jugs of milk to prevent milk spoilage.  Silver nitrate drops have been used in newborn babies' eyes to prevent infection after birth. With the growth in popularity of antibiotics, silver has seemed to be less necessary for health.  To this end, pacifiers have replaced silver teething rings and plastic toys are used instead of silver rattles.

A debate several years ago surfaced about the use and benefits/health risks of metallic or colloidal silver.  However, The Silver Institute cites data from studies over decades at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons on the health benefits of silver and they say that silver even heals wounds.  Other silver-based products on the market include serveware, cleaning supplies and rags, and utensils.

When all is said and done, science is science and sentiment is sentiment.  There may not be a health reason to give silver as a baby gift but tradition and nostalgia offer a good argument for continuing to gift these heirlooms to the young ones in our lives.