The Practice of Baby-Farming, 1860-1910 (Episode 72)

Content Warning: In this episode, we talk about the deliberate murder of infants for profit. Please skip this episode if you'd like to avoid hearing about that subject.

When there's money to be made, there will always be people who will go too far to make it. The practice of "baby farming" - on paper - looks almost like a direct ancestor to adoption agencies or foster care. In reality, it was a way for people to make a lot of money, providing they didn't mind killing infants. It's a horrifying look at a system wherein lack of protection under the law, lack of body autonomy, and lack of option led to inhuman decisions and massive human suffering.

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Sources:

The Baby Farmer (Thames Valley Police Museum)

Regulating sexual behaviour: the 19th century (UK Parliament)

Minutes of Evidence Taken Before The Select Committee on Infant Life Protection Bill

Baby Farming (The Adoption History Project)

"Baby Farming" – a tragedy of Victorian times

Amelia Dyer: The Victorian nurse who strangled babies by Sarah Lee

Victorian baby killer Amelia Dyer evidence found in loft (BBC)