Taking a Trip Down Memory Lane

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Humans evolved and survived by breastfeeding.  If it weren’t for breastfeeding, you would not be reading this blog right now.  You might say “well that’s not true, my grandmother, mother, and I were all formula-fed, and I’m sitting here.” While recent generations may have been formula-fed and survived, historically the only way for babies to survive prior to that was by being breastfed.

Humans are among 5,000 other types of mammals which use their own milk to feed their babies.  Human babies have been traditionally fed mothers milk or the milk of another human woman.  It is only recently in our history that human babies have begun to consume milk of other mammals. In early colonial America, it was known that women would feed their infants “through their second summer.”  Therefore, the child would be two years old or just about two years old (which is on par with current AAP and WHO recommendations!).

By the 1800’s is when we saw the shift from human babies consuming human milk to human babies consuming cows milk, and it wasn’t long before physicians of that era began to “decry the trouble and dangers of artificial feeding.” Once this shift occurred, most mothers began to wean their children before three months of age, much like current trends in the United States.  Most often during this time period, wealthy or royal family members would choose artificial feeding methods, formula or wet nurses, to “stay beautiful or to get pregnant again.”  High formula usage has maintained as a norm in the United States, but around the world breastfeeding is still the primary source of nutrition for infants.

What is a wet nurse? Wet nursing is defined as “the act of a woman nursing a baby other than her own.”  This practice dates back to 2000 BC and was commonly used when a woman could not produce enough milk and her infant was likely to die without intervention. Also, in the same class, is a common practice of cross-nursing.  Cross-nursing is when mothers in a community nurse each other’s babies. 

It was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that technology changed the terms of artificial feeding and created the products we now call “infant formula.”  During this time, it was noted a greater number of infant deaths occurred. Then, instead of focusing efforts on increasing breastfeeding rates, the focus shifted to improving artificial substitutes. 

An obstetrician, Pierre Budin, who founded the study of neonatology, recognized the association of increased infant death and illness resulting from contaminated cows milk during the 19th century.  He then started the well-baby visits (so we can thank him for those frequent doctor trips!) and focused his attention on education of mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding for infant health. 

Formula use continued to increase through the 20th century and was promoted as “modern,” “civilized,” and “a sign of wealth.” Breastfeeding therefore became associated with lower social classes and looked down upon.  By 1971, breastfeeding rates in the United States were at an all-time low, with 24% of mothers ever having breastfed before leaving the hospital. 

Early in the 20th century, medical schools began to shift their focus on advocating for medical students to spend more time studying breastfeeding and infant nutrition versus artificial feeding methods.  During this same time, it can be noted that studies began emerging showing the correlation between breastfeeding and increased IQ.  It was shown that babies who were studied and had an IQ of 130 were all breastfed. 

The feminist movement during the 1960’s spurred many social reforms and breastfeeding was an intrinsic part of it.  We continue to see a movement back to breastfeeding, which closely mimics the movement away from it during our early history.  Breastfeeding is now known as the best way to feed a baby, although it is not always followed. The focus of current trends shows a respect for the rights of both mother and baby while promoting the best possible health comes for both.

Source Credit: Lauwers, J., & Swisher, A. (2016). Counseling the nursing mother: a lactation consultants guide. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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