William Cadogan (childcare writer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Cadogan
William Cadogan c. 1769
Born	1711 Cowbridge
Died	26 February 1797 London
Occupation	Physician, writer

William Cadogan (1711 – 26 February 1797) was an important British doctor and writer from the 1700s. He is famous for his ideas about how to care for babies and young children.

William Cadogan's Life and Work

Early Life and Education

William Cadogan was likely born in a place called Cowbridge in Wales in 1711. He went to Oriel College, Oxford University to study. Later, he studied medicine at Leyden University in the Netherlands.

After finishing his studies, he moved to Bristol, England. He became a doctor at the Bristol Infirmary in 1747.

Helping Abandoned Babies

In the 1740s, Cadogan started working with the London Foundling Hospital. This hospital cared for babies who had been abandoned. His experiences there helped him learn a lot about child care.

In 1748, he wrote a very important book. It was called An Essay upon Nursing and the Management of Children from their Birth to Three Years of Age. This book shared his ideas on how to raise young children.

Becoming a Famous Doctor

By 1748, William Cadogan was a well-known doctor in London. He was especially famous for his studies on a condition called gout.

He became a Governor of the London Foundling Hospital in 1749. In 1752, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a special honor for scientists.

Cadogan moved to London in 1752 and became a doctor at the Foundling Hospital. He continued to share his medical knowledge throughout his life.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1764, he published another book about gout. In this book, he suggested that gout was linked to unhealthy living habits.

William Cadogan passed away in London in 1797 when he was 86 years old. He was buried in Fulham churchyard.

Cadogan's Ideas on Child Care

Simple and Natural Parenting

William Cadogan believed in a simple and natural way of raising children. He thought children should be encouraged to be strong and healthy. For example, he suggested letting them run outside with bare feet. He also believed they should be able to move their arms and legs freely.

He was against swaddling babies tightly. Swaddling is wrapping infants very snugly in cloth. Cadogan thought this was not good for their development.

Feeding and Talking to Children

Cadogan said that babies should be breastfed for at least a year. He preferred that mothers breastfed their own babies. If not, a good wet nurse (a woman who breastfeeds another's child) should be used. He also suggested giving some solid food after three months.

He believed children should be fed at regular times. Adults should also play with children. Their food and clothes should be light and simple. Cadogan also thought adults should talk to children like grown-ups, not use silly baby talk. He felt this would help children's health and minds grow.

Challenging Old Traditions

Cadogan wanted child-rearing to be less strict. He thought it should be based on nature. He noticed that rich children often had too many rules, too much clothing, and too much food. He believed this made them less healthy. In contrast, he saw that poor children often grew stronger in tougher conditions.

He also pushed for a scientific way to raise children. He disagreed with what he saw as old-fashioned beliefs, especially those held by women. His book on child care was very popular. It was reprinted ten times and translated into many languages. Many other similar books followed his ideas.

Selected Publications

• A Dissertation on the Gout (1771)