What did mothers who couldnt breastfeed do before formula?

The Historical Context of Infant Feeding
Before the advent of commercial infant formula, mothers who were unable to breastfeed faced significant challenges in ensuring their babies received adequate nutrition. The options available were limited and often fraught with risks. Historically, the most common alternative to breastfeeding was wet nursing, where another lactating woman would nurse the baby. This practice was widely accepted and often seen as a viable solution, especially among wealthier families who could afford to hire a wet nurse.
The Role of Wet Nursing
Wet nursing was not just a practical solution; it was a deeply ingrained societal norm. In many cultures, wet nurses were employed to provide nourishment to infants when the biological mother could not. This arrangement allowed mothers to return to work or manage other responsibilities while ensuring their infants received breast milk, which was considered the healthiest option available. However, the reliance on wet nurses also came with its own set of challenges, including the risk of disease transmission and the potential for emotional detachment between the mother and child.
Alternative Feeding Methods
For those who could not find a wet nurse or preferred not to use one, various makeshift alternatives were employed. These included feeding infants with animal milk, often from cows or goats, which was sometimes diluted with water or mixed with sugar to make it more palatable. However, this method posed significant health risks, as animal milk does not provide the same nutritional profile as human breast milk and can lead to digestive issues or infections.
In addition to animal milk, some mothers resorted to gruel or porridge, made from grains or other starchy foods, which were often unsuitable for infants and could lead to malnutrition. The lack of understanding about infant nutrition during these times meant that many of these alternatives were not only inadequate but potentially harmful.
The Consequences of Inadequate Nutrition
The consequences of not breastfeeding or using safe alternatives were dire. Many infants who could not be breastfed or fed properly faced high mortality rates. Historical accounts suggest that if a baby could not breastfeed and no suitable alternative was available, the likelihood of survival was grim. This stark reality highlights the critical importance of breastfeeding and the severe implications of its absence.
The Shift Towards Formula
The landscape of infant feeding began to change with the emergence of commercial infant formulas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As pediatricians and medical professionals recognized the need for a scientifically formulated alternative to breast milk, they began to develop products that aimed to mimic its nutritional content. This shift not only provided a safer option for mothers who could not breastfeed but also marked a significant change in societal attitudes towards infant feeding.
In conclusion, before the invention of formula, mothers who could not breastfeed relied heavily on wet nursing and various makeshift feeding methods, often with tragic consequences. The evolution of infant feeding practices reflects broader changes in societal norms, medical understanding, and the ongoing quest for safe and effective nutrition for infants.

What happened to babies that couldn’t breastfeed before formula?

But until the 20th century, babies who were not breastfed often died. Only rarely could alternative foods meet infants’ nutritional needs, leaving many malnourished. In the days before refrigeration, modern food safety, most vaccines, or antibiotics, thousands died of diarrhea brought on by tainted food.

What did babies drink before formula was made?

milk
Throughout the ages and until the end of the 19th century, animal’s milk was the most common source of artificial feeding. As mentioned earlier, pap and panada were used only as supplements to animal’s milk when the infant failed to thrive.

What did mothers feed their babies before formula?

Before the era of “modern” medicine, breastfeeding was the preferred method of feeding infants, just as it is today. But if a mother’s milk supply was inadequate or she chose not to nurse, the family often employed a “wet nurse” to nourish infants.

What did mothers feed their babies in the 1950s?

In the 1950s and 1960s, as already mentioned, most infants were fed cow’s milk beginning at 4–6 mo of age and this practice extended into the early 1970s.

Why was breastfeeding discouraged in the 1950s?

One of the causes was an increased reliance on pasteurized milk and baby formula products, which were regarded as acceptable substitutes by upwardly mobile mothers. By the 1950s, the predominant attitude to breastfeeding was that it was something practiced by the uneducated and those of lower classes.

Do royals breastfeed their babies?

But, not one to follow tradition too strictly, the Queen set her own standard and breastfed her four children, something which her daughter-in-law Princess Diana also decided to do as well, and later the Duchess of Cambridge.

How long did mothers breastfeed in biblical times?

Some books in the Bible (Maccabees and Chronicles) note breastfeeding lasting for three years, and later sources from the first millennium AD such as the Quran and the Babylonian Talmud estimate this period as two years.

What did they feed babies in the early 1940’s instead of formula?

From beef soup to caramel pudding
The first commercial baby food to hit the market was a vegetable soup with a beef broth base. Other common baby foods in the 1940s included liver, veal, and strained single-ingredient vegetables and fruits.

What did people do if they couldn’t breastfeed?

If the mother could not feed the baby herself, they would try to get a wet nurse. If this was not possible they could try feeding cows or goats milk, but it was difficult to keep it clean and it’s not really nourishing enough.

What to feed baby if no breast milk or formula?

If you cannot find infant formula and you usually give your child a regular infant formula, you can give your 6 month to 12 month old child some pasteurized (not raw), unflavored, whole cow’s milk. Cow’s milk should only be given for a short time (no more than a week) as instructed by your child’s doctor.