I don't have a complete history, but found this reference in a wonderful
book by Valerie Fildes called "Breasts, Bottles and Babies: A History of
Infant Feeding," (1986). The book arose from her thesis and is a fascinating
history of infant feeding up until about 1800.

Here's the quote:
p. 315   "Although not strictly feeding vessels, two other structures were
used in relation to feeding; the pap-warmer and the sucking-bag, sometimes
also the warming or soaking container. In the 19th and 19th centuries,
pap-boats, and other infant or invalid  feeders, were placed into a china
receptacle and a small flame heater was lit beneath them so keeping the food
warm, either during a feed or until the child cried for food, especially
during the night. Sucking-bags were the forerunners of the modern dummy or
'comforter.' They consisted of a piece of gauze or other thin cloth soaked
in a mixture of sweet pap or panada, or a solution of sugar or honey in
water, squeezed free of excess fluid and given to the child to suck. Small
round containers with lids, made of pewter or china, which can be found in
some museums, were used for soaking the comforter or for storage when a
child did not want it. The sucking bag was of ancient origin and is depicted
both in sculptures, and in pictures of the virgin and child, at least from
the 15th century.

Another interesting history (but one in which I can't find any reference to
soothers/pacifiers/dummies) is "Mothers & Medicine: A Social History of
Infant Feeding 1890-1950" by Rima D. Apple, 1987. (I find the subtitle
fascinating since the book deals pretty much only with the USA; but it's
still interesting even if only a bit presumptive).

Maybe someone should contact one of the major pacifier manufacturers and
find out if they have anything historical. It would definitely be
interesting. My hunch, though, is that the popularity of giving babies other
things to suck on probably gained strength once the regulated feeding idea
came into play, in the late 1800's, early 1900s, I believe. Breastfed babies
who are allowed to be fed only every 4 hours are going to cry and cry, and
plugging something into their mouths was probably a sanity saver.

Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, IBCLC
Peace River, Alberta, Canada
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