The Collaborative International Dictionary
Bantling \Bant"ling\, n. [Prob. for bandling, from band, and meaning a child wrapped in swaddling bands; or cf. G. b["a]ntling a bastard, fr. bank bench. Cf. Bastard, n.] A young or small child; an infant. [Slightly contemptuous or depreciatory.]
In what out of the way corners genius produces her
bantlings.
--W. Irving.
Wiktionary
n. (context UK dialectal English) An infant or young child.
Usage examples of "bantling".
Deborah Gossip of this interesting bantling, which was forthwith dandled in dozens of feminine laps.
Wives, themselves scarcely past childhood, balanced shawl-enveloped bantlings against heavy market-baskets.
Carson City was too wary and too wise to open up a credit account with the imported bantling with anything like indecent haste.