Throughout history when for various reasons an infant was deprived of mother’s milk supply, all manner of substitutes were devised to fulfill the need.  Wet nurses were highly regarded but very expensive and unaffordable to many.  Occasionally, the infant was placed directly to an animals teat for nourishment (Romulus and Remus), but more often, everyday utensils were adapted for the specific purpose of feeing infants.  Some of the feeders were primitive, while others were quite artistic if not ingenious.  This type of artificial feeding, called dry nursing, was often hazardous to the infant as most were difficult if not impossible to clean.  Slowly, over the centuries, safer forms were developed and became popular.