Controversial History Of Wet Nursing And What The Informal, Wet nursing, the act of breastfeeding someone else's child, has a long and controversial history., General, controversial-history-of-wet-nursing-and-what-the-informal, JPOSE
Wet nursing, the act of breastfeeding someone else's child, has a long and controversial history. The practice dates back to ancient times when wealthy women would hire wet nurses to care for their infants. However, it was during the 18th and 19th centuries that wet nursing became increasingly popular among the middle and lower classes, and it is during this period that the practice became more controversial.
One of the main reasons for the controversy surrounding wet nursing was the fear of transmitting diseases. At the time, little was known about the transmission of diseases, and many people believed that illnesses were caused by bad air or miasma. As a result, wet nurses were often blamed for the spread of diseases, and there were even cases where wet nurses were accused of deliberately infecting the infants in their care.
Another factor that contributed to the controversy surrounding wet nursing was the belief that it could lead to an unhealthy emotional attachment between the wet nurse and the infant. Some people believed that the bond between a mother and child was sacred, and that wet nursing could interfere with this bond. There were also concerns that wet nurses might become too attached to the children in their care, leading to emotional distress when the child was eventually weaned.
Despite these concerns, wet nursing remained a popular practice throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, especially among working-class women who needed to earn a living. In many cases, women would take in the infants of wealthier families and care for them in their own homes. This informal system of wet nursing was often unregulated, and there were concerns that the infants in these arrangements were not receiving adequate care.
In response to these concerns, some cities began to establish official wet nursing institutes in the late 19th century. These institutes were designed to provide a safe and regulated environment for wet nursing, and they often included medical supervision to ensure the health of the infants in their care.
Despite the controversies surrounding wet nursing, the practice remained common until the 20th century, when the development of infant formula made it possible for mothers to feed their infants without the need for a wet nurse. Today, wet nursing is still practiced in some parts of the world, but it is far less common than it once was.
In conclusion, the history of wet nursing is a complex and controversial one. While the practice was once widespread and accepted, it came under scrutiny in the 18th and 19th centuries due to concerns about disease transmission and emotional attachment. Despite these concerns, wet nursing remained a popular practice until the development of infant formula in the 20th century. Today, wet nursing is a rare practice, but it remains an important part of the history of infant care.