138 Years Ago, the First Baby Was Treated in an Incubator. She Weighed Less Than 3 Lbs.

In a landmark development for neonatal care, the first premature baby in the United States, Edith Eleanor McLean, was successfully treated in an incubator in 1888. Born on 7 September of that year at the State Emigrant Hospital on Ward’s Island, New York, McLean weighed a mere 2 lbs and 7 oz, marking a pivotal moment in the medical treatment of fragile newborns.

The historical incubator that housed McLean was designed by William Champion Deming. The innovation itself had its roots in an idea presented by the French obstetrician Stéphane Tarnier, who was inspired by observing poultry incubators at the Paris Zoo. Early versions of these incubators relied on heated water tanks to maintain temperature, with nurses routinely changing the water as it cooled. McLean’s incubator contained an impressive 57 litres of water to provide the necessary warmth.

The journey towards the widespread adoption of incubators, however, was supported by a rather unusual platform. In 1898, Martin Couney, a German businessman whose daughter had also been a premature baby, was motivated after witnessing an exhibition of premature infants at the World’s Fair. This inspired him to create his own attraction at Coney Island. Visitors paid 25 cents to observe infants in incubators, thereby supporting the care of the babies without charging their families.

For four decades, Couney’s exhibit became a mainstay, fundamentally changing public perceptions about the viability and care of premature infants. Prior to this, many viewed the effort to save these small lives as futile and prohibitively expensive, as the likelihood of survival was often low. However, the visible success of Couney’s incubators began to shift this mindset.

One notable former “patient” of Couney’s exhibit, Beth Allen, recalled the stigma surrounding her premature birth. Initially hesitant about joining the exhibit, her family did not want her to be seen as a “freak.” Nevertheless, Couney persuaded them, and she subsequently became one of the many infants who benefitted from his care. “Without Martin Couney,” Allen stated, “I wouldn’t have had a life,” highlighting how critical these incubator exhibits were for many newborns.

As the decades unfolded, advancements followed. After World War II, incubators were developed with improved technology that allowed for more precise control of heat and humidity. These modern designs vastly enhanced neonatal care, making it possible to provide effective medical support for the smallest and most vulnerable individuals in society.

The implementation of incubators in hospitals has since proven life-saving for countless premature infants. Public fascination and awareness, sparked by exhibits such as Couney’s, not only increased demand for such medical innovations but also solidified the role of incubators in contemporary neonatal care.

Today, the legacy of Edith Eleanor McLean’s historic treatment and the subsequent efforts of pioneers like Martin Couney continue to resonate within medical practice. The journey of neonatal care has advanced remarkably, yet it is essential to remember the foundational moments that have shaped and improved the lives of premature babies through the years.