Socio-cultural Aspect and Medical Perspective of Breastfeeding in the Middle Ages

Abstract

This chapter provides a review of breast, breastfeeding and breast-milk in the Middle Ages through the socio-cultural and medical perspectives. The different socio-cultural and economic factors that were influential in determination of the selection of the nursing person; the mother versus a wet nurse are discussed. The chapter also provides the recommendations of medieval medical authorities in terms of “qualities of the breastfeeding person” and “the ideal breast milk”.