Butterbox Babies

A detailed Summary of Butterbox Babies

"Lovely Babies For Adoption" is what the advertisement for the Ideal Maternity

Home and Sanitarium versed to many couples unable to bear children beginning in the

late 1920's. Although the ad held true as to the children, the operation of this business

was far from lovely. Originally designed as a sanitarium for the sick, the hospital soon

became a birthing facility. Operating without any supervision, the facility was a place of

joy for couples adopting an infant, but a place of shame and despair for unwed mothers.

Lila Gladys Coolen met and married William Peach Young in 1925. William was

an unordained seventh-day Adventist minister and Lila, also of the same faith, was a

teacher in Fox Point, Nova Scotia. After being married, the couple left Nova Scotia to

return to school in Chicago. William attended the National College of Chiropractic,

while Lila pursued a degree at the National School of Obstetrics and Midwifery. In

February of 1928, the Youngs opened The Life and Health Sanitarium out of their four

bedroom cottage. Lila began delivering babies and within a year, the facility had been

renamed The Ideal Maternity Home and Sanitarium and it's sole purpose became a

Out of the 1,400 to 1,600 babies born at the home, only about 1,000 were

In the US many couples were restricted from adopting because of their age and

tremendous fees. The cost to mothers averaged three to five hundred dollars for room

from society. A newspaper advertisement placed by the Youngs, was carefully written

licensing laws. In 1940, new licensing laws were created upon the amendment of the

creation of this facility, many unwed mothers saw an opportunity to keep their secret

and board, delivery, and adoption of their baby. Contracts had to be signed upon

Approximate Word count = 833
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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