What is the definition of a wet nurse?

A wet nurse is a woman who breastfeeds and cares for another's child. This practice was historically common when a mother was unable to nurse her child herself sufficiently, had died, or chose not to do so.

What terms are used to describe children nursed by the same wet nurse, and what special relationship can form between families?

Children breastfed by the same wet nurse may be referred to as "milk-siblings." In some societies, this shared experience created a special bond or relationship known as "milk kinship."

Until when was wet nursing common globally, and what led to its decline?

Wet nursing was a practice found in societies around the world until the invention of reliable infant formula in the 20th century. The development of formula provided an alternative to breastfeeding and wet nursing, leading to a decline in the practice.

Has the practice of wet nursing seen any resurgence?

Yes, the practice of wet nursing has seen a small comeback in the 21st century, indicating a renewed interest in or need for the service in some contexts.

What are the primary reasons a mother might need a wet nurse for her child?

A mother might need a wet nurse if she is unable or unwilling to breastfeed her baby. This could be due to illness, the side effects of medical treatments, or simply choosing not to breastfeed.

How crucial was wet nursing before the invention of infant formula?

Before the development of infant formula in the 20th century, wet-nursing could be a life-saving option for infants whose mothers could not provide breast milk.

Can you provide examples of why a mother might be unable to produce sufficient breast milk?

A mother might be unable to produce sufficient breast milk if she has a chronic or acute illness, or if the treatment for her condition reduces or stops her milk production. This absence of lactation could be temporary or permanent.

What historical conditions increased the demand for wet nurses?

The demand for wet nurses was greater during periods when rates of infant abandonment and maternal death during or shortly after childbirth were high.

Where did wet nurses often come from, particularly when maternal or infant mortality was high?

When maternal and infant mortality rates were high, there was often a concurrent availability of lactating women whose own babies had died, providing a source for wet nurses.

Why did upper-class women in some societies choose not to breastfeed their own children?

Upper-class women often chose not to breastfeed for social reasons. It was considered unfashionable, as it could interfere with wearing contemporary clothing and was believed to negatively affect their figures. Additionally, hiring a wet nurse was sometimes less expensive than employing household staff to manage domestic duties while the mother breastfed.

How could hiring a wet nurse be economically advantageous for some women?

For some women, particularly those in higher social classes, hiring a wet nurse was less expensive than needing to hire additional help to run a family business or manage household duties in their place.

Is it necessary for a woman to have recently given birth to be able to lactate as a wet nurse?

No, it was once believed that a wet nurse must have recently given birth to lactate, but this is not necessarily true. Regular breast stimulation can elicit lactation through a neural reflex involving prolactin production and secretion.

How can lactation be induced or elicited in women who have not recently given birth?

Lactation can be elicited through a neural reflex that stimulates prolactin production and secretion. This means women who have not recently given birth can potentially lactate with appropriate stimulation.

What modern tool can be used to help establish lactation for feeding an infant?

A breast pump can be used to help establish lactation, enabling a woman to produce milk to feed an infant, even if she has not recently given birth.

According to Gabrielle Palmer, what is the theoretical capacity of women regarding lactation duration and number of infants?

Gabrielle Palmer suggests that there is no medical reason why women cannot lactate indefinitely or feed more than one child simultaneously (tandem feeding). Theoretically, some women could be capable of feeding up to five babies.

How widespread was wet nursing historically across different societies?

Wet nursing was an ancient practice and was common across many different societies worldwide.

How was wet nursing linked to social class throughout history?

Wet nursing was often linked to social class, with monarchies, the aristocracy, and upper classes frequently having their children wet-nursed. Conversely, poor women sometimes had to rely on wet nurses or give up their own children.

Besides providing nourishment, what biological benefit could hiring a wet nurse offer to mothers in upper classes?

Hiring a wet nurse could allow upper-class mothers to become pregnant again more quickly, as exclusive breastfeeding inhibits ovulation in some women through lactational amenorrhea.

What incorrect belief did people hold in pre-modern times regarding wet nurses and personality traits?

In pre-modern times, it was incorrectly believed that wet nurses could pass on personality traits, such as acquired characteristics, to the infants they nursed.

Can you provide examples of wet nurses from Greek and Roman mythology?

In Greek mythology, Eurycleia served as the wet nurse to Odysseus. In Roman mythology, Caieta was the wet nurse of Aeneas.

Who is mentioned in the Bible as a nurse to Rebekah?

The Bible mentions Deborah as the nurse to Rebekah, who was the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau.

What figures represent wet nurses in Burmese and Hawaiian mythology?

In Burmese mythology, Myaukhpet Shinma is the nat (spirit) representation of King Tabinshwehti's wet nurse. In Hawaiian mythology, Nuakea is a goddess of lactation whose name became a title for a royal wet nurse.

How does the founding myth of Rome involve a form of wet nursing?

The founding myth of Rome features Romulus and Remus, who were abandoned as infants but were nursed by a she-wolf, symbolizing a primal form of nurturing care akin to wet nursing.

What were wet nurses called in ancient Rome, and where did they typically come from within a household?

In ancient Rome, wet nurses were called *nutrices* (singular *nutrix*). They were often found among the household's slaves and freedwomen.

Did wet nursing exist as a profession in ancient Rome, and what evidence supports this?

Yes, wet nursing existed as a profession in ancient Rome. The Digest of Roman law even references wage disputes for wet-nursing services, and inscriptions like funerary stelae indicate pride in the profession.

What were Roman attitudes towards upper-class women breastfeeding their own children versus hiring wet nurses?

While it was considered admirable for upper-class Roman women to breastfeed their own children, it became unusual and considered old-fashioned during the Imperial era, with hiring wet nurses being more common.

Why did Romans prefer Greek wet nurses for their children?

Romans believed that a baby nursed by a Greek wet nurse could "imbibe" the language, potentially growing up to speak Greek as fluently as Latin. This preference highlights the cultural value placed on Greek language and education.

What was the status of wet nursing in India by the 1500s?

By the 1500s in India, a wealthy mother not using a wet nurse was noteworthy. The wet nurse was typically integrated into the household, and imperial wet nurses in the Mughal court received significant honors.

How was wet nursing viewed as a job for working-class women in the UK, particularly in the 18th century?

In the 18th century United Kingdom, wet nursing was a well-paid, respectable, and popular job for many working-class women, often earning more than an average male laborer.

What was the mortality rate for infants sent to live with wet nurses in the UK up until the 19th century?

Up until the 19th century in the UK, most infants sent to live with wet nurses were away from their families for up to three years, and as many as 80% of these babies died during infancy.

What practice emerged in the Victorian era related to infant care that sometimes led to high death rates, and who were these caregivers often?

In the Victorian era, the practice of "baby-farming" emerged, where women took in babies for money, often feeding them cheaply. This poor care sometimes resulted in high infant death rates, and the caregivers were often single women who had previously given birth to an illegitimate child.

What factors contributed to the decline of wet nursing in the UK during the mid-19th century?

The decline of wet nursing in the UK was influenced by medical journalists who began writing about its previously undocumented dangers, such as the abandonment of the wet nurse's own children, higher infant mortality rates, and increased physical and moral risks to the nursed child. These emotional arguments, coupled with public criticism, gradually reduced the practice.

What percentage of infants in France were estimated to be wet-nursed by the 18th century?

By the 18th century in France, it was reported that approximately 90% of infants were wet-nursed, with most being sent away to live with their wet nurses.

What was the purpose of the Bureau of Wet Nurses established in Paris in 1769?

The Bureau of Wet Nurses in Paris, established in 1769, served two main purposes: supplying parents with wet nurses and helping to reduce infant neglect by controlling monthly salary payments to the nurses.

What criteria were used to qualify women as wet nurses in France?

To become a wet nurse in France, women had to meet qualifications including physical fitness and good moral character. They were often assessed on their age, health, number of children, and physical characteristics of their breasts and nipples, as these were believed to affect milk quality.

What did the 1874 French law named after Théophile Roussel mandate regarding infants placed with guardians?

The 1874 law, named after Théophile Roussel, mandated that every infant placed with a paid guardian outside the parents' home be registered with the state. This allowed the French government to monitor the number of children with wet nurses and track infant mortality rates among them.

How did the practice of wet nursing in the United States change by the 19th century compared to earlier practices?

By the 19th century in the United States, Americans shifted from sending infants away to live with wet nurses to having wet nurses live within the employers' homes to nurse and care for the charges. This change, however, led to an increased death rate for the wet nurses' own babies.

How was wet nursing practiced within the context of slavery in the Southern United States?

In the Southern United States before the Civil War, it was common practice for enslaved Black women to be forced into wet nursing the children of their enslavers. Sometimes, the enslaved child and the white child would be raised together during their early years.

What role did Slovene women play as domestic workers, including wet nurses, in Alexandria?

From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, thousands of Slovene peasant women migrated to Alexandria, Egypt, where they worked in domestic roles for elite households, including serving as wet nurses. This occupation became so prevalent among them that it became almost synonymous with Slovene domestic workers.

How did the role of Slovene women in Alexandria contribute to the "Aleksandrinke" archetype?

The significant number of Slovene women working as wet nurses in Alexandria led to the "Aleksandrinke" archetype becoming strongly associated with this role. This emphasis on lactation, however, sometimes overshadowed their other domestic duties and contributed to a hypersexualized and stigmatized perception back home.

What is the term for the special relationship formed through breastfeeding in Islam?

In Islam, the system of relationships formed through breastfeeding is known as *rada*, which is a highly codified system of milk kinship.

What is the term for mothers who nurse each other's babies?

Mothers who nurse each other's babies are engaging in a practice known as cross-nursing or co-nursing.

What are current attitudes towards nursing another's baby in contemporary Western societies?

In contemporary affluent Western societies, the act of nursing a baby that is not one's own often provokes cultural discomfort and unease.

What alternatives are commonly accepted in Western countries when a mother cannot nurse her own infant?

When a mother is unable to nurse her own infant, acceptable alternatives in Western countries include using expressed breast milk (often donated to milk banks) or using commercially prepared infant formula.

According to Dr. Rhonda Shaw, what cultural factors contribute to Western discomfort with wet nursing?

Dr. Rhonda Shaw suggests that Western objections to wet nursing are cultural, stemming from discomfort with the exchange of body fluids between different women and children, and the exposure of intimate bodily parts. These debates often involve perceptions of moral decency and a conflation of the sexual and functional aspects of the breast.

What significant risk is associated with the continued practice of wet nursing in developing countries?

Wet nurses are still common in many developing countries, but the practice poses a risk of transmitting infections, such as HIV, from the wet nurse to the infant.

In which countries might employing a wet nurse be considered a mark of aristocracy, wealth, and high status?

In China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, a wet nurse may be employed in addition to a nanny as a symbol of aristocracy, wealth, and high status.

Who were two notable wet nurses in Ancient Egypt mentioned in the text?

Two notable wet nurses in Ancient Egypt were Maia, the wet nurse of King Tutankhamun, and Sitre In, the wet nurse of Hatshepsut, who was honored with a burial in the royal necropolis.

Name two prominent wet nurses from the Mughal period in India.

Two prominent wet nurses from the Mughal period in India were Maham Anga, who served Akbar, and Dai Anga, who served Shah Jahan.

Name two notable wet nurses from European history mentioned in the text.

Two notable wet nurses from European history include Hodierna of St Albans, who was the wet nurse of Richard I of England, and Geneviève Poitrine, the wet nurse of Louis Joseph, Dauphin of France.

Who was the foster mother and wet nurse of the Islamic prophet Muhammad?

Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb was the foster mother and wet nurse of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Wet Nurse Wiki: The Nurturing Bond: A Historical and Societal Exploration of Wet Nursing

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Overview

Definition and Role

A wet nurse is a woman who breastfeeds and cares for another's child. This practice historically served as a vital solution when a mother was unable to nurse her infant due to death, insufficient milk production, or personal choice. The children nursed by the same woman are sometimes referred to as "milk-siblings," and in certain societies, this shared experience forged a unique familial bond known as "milk kinship."

Historical Significance

Until the widespread availability of reliable infant formula in the 20th century, wet nursing was a common and often life-saving practice across diverse cultures globally. It addressed critical needs arising from high rates of maternal mortality and infant abandonment, providing sustenance for infants whose mothers could not provide it.

Modern Resurgence

While largely supplanted by formula feeding and shifts in maternal practices, wet nursing has seen a modest resurgence in the 21st century. This revival is often linked to renewed interest in breastfeeding and alternative support systems for mothers.

Reasons for Wet Nursing

Maternal Incapacity

Mothers might require a wet nurse if they are unable to produce sufficient breast milk or lactate at all. This can stem from chronic or acute illnesses, or treatments that interfere with lactation. The absence of milk can be temporary or permanent, necessitating external support for the infant's nutrition.

Circumstances of Loss

Historically, high rates of maternal death during or shortly after childbirth, and the unfortunate reality of infant abandonment, created a demand for wet nurses. In these tragic situations, lactating women whose own infants had died were sometimes available to provide care.

Social and Personal Choices

For upper-class women, breastfeeding could be perceived as unfashionable, potentially interfering with contemporary clothing styles and the maintenance of their physical figures. Furthermore, some women hired wet nurses to alleviate the demanding and time-consuming nature of breastfeeding, or to facilitate a quicker return to pregnancy, which was believed to be aided by the cessation of lactation.

Eliciting and Maintaining Lactation

The Physiology of Lactation

A woman must be lactating to serve as a wet nurse. While it was once commonly believed that recent childbirth was a prerequisite, modern understanding confirms that regular stimulation, often achieved through methods like using a breast pump, can elicit and sustain lactation. This process involves a neural reflex that stimulates prolactin production and secretion.

Capacity for Sustained Nursing

As noted by Gabrielle Palmer in "The Politics of Breastfeeding," women possess a remarkable capacity for lactation. Theoretically, a woman could lactate indefinitely or nurse multiple children simultaneously (tandem feeding), potentially supporting up to five infants. This highlights the biological potential for sustained milk production beyond a single infant's needs.

Historical and Cultural Practices

Ancient Rome

In ancient Rome, wet nurses (`nutrices`) were common among slaves and freedwomen in affluent households. Professional wet nurses also existed, with legal records noting wage disputes for their services. The `Columna Lactaria` may have served as a hiring place. While upper-class Roman women breastfeeding their own children was admired, it became less common in the Imperial era. Soranus of Ephesus provided guidance on selecting wet nurses, and inscriptions suggest pride in the profession. Preference was given to Greek nurses, believed to impart linguistic fluency.

India

By the 16th century, it was customary for wealthy Indian mothers to employ wet nurses, who were integrated into the household. The Mughal court notably honored imperial wet nurses, reflecting a tradition that recognized their significant role.

United Kingdom

Wet nursing was prevalent in the UK, with working-class women both providing and receiving these services. In the 18th century, wet nursing was a lucrative profession, often exceeding the earnings of male laborers. However, infants sent to live with wet nurses, often far from home, faced high mortality rates. During the Victorian era, "baby-farming" emerged, where poor care sometimes led to increased infant deaths. Medical criticism regarding the dangers and ethical implications of wet nursing, such as the abandonment of the wet nurse's own children, gradually led to its decline, replaced by maternal breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.

France

In 17th-century France, particularly around the time of Louis XIV, wet nursing was widespread, with approximately 90% of infants being wet-nursed, often sent away from their families. Economic pressures forced many mothers to work, leading them to entrust their infants to wet nurses, who were often poorer themselves. This practice, coupled with rising costs and declining care standards, resulted in high infant mortality. The establishment of the Bureau of Wet Nurses in Paris in 1769 aimed to regulate the practice, and later, the Roussel law mandated state registration and monitoring of infants placed with guardians. Wet nurses were also employed in hospitals, sometimes controversially used to transmit mercury treatments for congenital syphilis.

United States

British colonists introduced wet nursing to North America. By the 19th century, the practice evolved to include wet nurses living within the employer's household to mitigate infant mortality associated with infants being sent away. This shift, however, sometimes increased mortality for the wet nurses' own children. Employment was often temporary, based on the belief that milk quality diminished over time. Historical records are scarce, with newspaper advertisements and medical journals serving as key evidence sources.

Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, figures like Maia, the wet nurse of Tutankhamun, and Sitre In, the nurse of Hatshepsut, held significant positions. Sitre In's burial in the royal necropolis, with an inscription identifying her as the "Great Royal Wet Nurse," highlights the esteem afforded to this role.

Mythology and Cultural Narratives

Ancient Lore

Across various cultures, myths and legends feature wet nurses, including those of supernatural or even animal nature. Biblical accounts mention Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah. Greek mythology includes Eurycleia, Odysseus's wet nurse, and Roman mythology features Caieta, Aeneas's nurse, and the she-wolf who famously nursed Romulus and Remus. The Roman goddess Rumina was invoked to promote milk flow.

Cross-Cultural Traditions

In Burmese mythology, Myaukhpet Shinma is recognized as a spirit representation of King Tabinshwehti's wet nurse. Hawaiian mythology venerates Nuakea as a goddess of lactation, whose name became a title for royal wet nurses. These narratives underscore the deep-rooted cultural significance attributed to the act of nurturing through breastfeeding.

Relationships Forged

Familial and Social Ties

The practice of wet nursing often extended beyond a mere employment contract, fostering deep personal and familial bonds. In some traditions, like Vietnamese culture where the wet nurse is called `Nhũ mẫu` (meaning "mother"), the relationship carried familial weight. Islamic law codifies "milk kinship" (`rada`), establishing specific familial prohibitions based on breastfeeding. The bond between George III of the United Kingdom and his valued wet nurse led to his appointing her daughter to a prestigious, lifelong position within the Royal Household.

Reciprocal Nurturing

The practice of mothers nursing each other's babies is known as cross-nursing or co-nursing, representing a reciprocal act of communal childcare and support. Historically, infants like Jane Austen were placed with wet nurses for extended periods, highlighting the integration of wet nurses into the fabric of family life.

Contemporary Perspectives

Western Cultural Ambivalence

In contemporary Western societies, the practice of nursing another woman's child often evokes cultural discomfort. Objections are frequently rooted in perceptions of moral propriety and concerns regarding the exchange of bodily fluids, sometimes conflating the eroticized breast with its functional, lactating role. When mothers cannot breastfeed, alternatives like expressed milk from milk banks or infant formula are generally preferred.

Global Practices

Wet nursing remains prevalent in many developing nations, though it carries risks of infectious disease transmission, such as HIV. In countries like China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, employing wet nurses is often a status symbol associated with wealth and aristocracy. Following the 2008 Chinese milk scandal, the demand and salaries for wet nurses in China saw a significant increase.

Open Dialogue

Despite cultural hesitations, the topic of wet nursing is increasingly open to discussion in some Western contexts. Actress Salma Hayek's public act of breastfeeding a sick infant during a UNICEF goodwill tour in Sierra Leone sparked conversation about the practice's humanitarian and nurturing aspects.

Notable Figures in Wet Nursing

Ancient Royalty

Historical records mention several prominent wet nurses associated with royalty. In ancient Egypt, Maia served as the wet nurse for Tutankhamun, and Sitre In was the nurse for Hatshepsut, receiving honors befitting her significant role. In the Mughal Empire, figures like Maham Anga (for Akbar) and Dai Anga (for Shah Jahan) were influential wet nurses.

Asian and Ottoman Figures

In Japan, Lady Kasuga was the wet nurse to Tokugawa Iemitsu. In China, Lu Lingxuan gained considerable power as the wet nurse to Emperor Gao Wei. Within the Ottoman Empire, Zafire Hatun, after nursing her own son Osman, became the wet nurse for Sultan Mehmed IV, influencing court dynamics.

European and Islamic Figures

In Europe, Hodierna of St Albans was the wet nurse for Richard I of England. Geneviève Poitrine, wet nurse to the Dauphin Louis Joseph, son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, faced accusations of transmitting tuberculosis, though this remains debated. Islam recognizes Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb as the foster mother and wet nurse of the Prophet Muhammad.

Remarkable Capacities

Some individuals are noted for exceptional capacities. Judith Waterford was recorded as being able to produce breast milk even at 81 years old, with a substantial daily yield in her prime. Petronella Muns was among the first Western women to visit Japan while working as a wet nurse.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Wet Nurse" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about wet_nurse while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

brunei

verb

national institute of metrology standardization and industrial quality

cpre

california department of human resources

bright young things film

References

Emily E. Stevens, Thelma E. Patrick and Rita Pickler, "A History of Infant Feeding," Journal of Perinatal Education (Spring 2009): 32â39. (accessed 10 February 2016).

Lecturer in Human Nutrition at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and author of The Politics of Breastfeeding

Native planters in old Hawaii: their life, lore, and environment by Edward Smith Craighill Handy, Elizabeth Green Handy, Mary Kawena Pukui.

Keith R. Bradley, "Wet-Nursing at Rome: A Study in Social Relations," in The Family in Ancient Rome (Cornell University Press, 1986), p. 213.

Suzanne Dixon, Childhood, Class and Kin in the Roman World (Routledge, 2001), p. 62; Bradley, "Wet-Nursing at Rome," p. 214.

Soranus of Ephesus, Gynaecology 2.19.24â5.

Celia E. Schultz, Women's Religious Activity in the Roman Republic (University of North Carolina Press, 2006), p. 54; Bradley, "Wet-Nursing at Rome," p. 202ff.

Evidence for bottle-feeding among the Romans is very slim, and the nutritor may have simply been a nursemaid; Bradley, "Wet-Nursing at Rome," p. 214.

Wolf, Jacqueline H, "Wet Nursing", Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society (2004).

Valerie A. Fildes, Breasts, Bottles, and Babies: A History of Infant Feeding, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1986: 193.

Valerie A. Fildes, Breasts, Bottles, and Babies: A History of Infant Feeding, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1986: 152.

Routh, C. H. F., "On the Mortality of Infants in Foundling Institutions, and Generally, As Influenced By the Absence of Breast-Milk". British Medical Journal 1 (6 February 1858): 105.

Valerie A. Fildes, Breasts, Bottles, and Babies: A History of Infant Feeding, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1986: 243.

Paula S. Fass (ed.), "Wet Nursing", Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society (2004): 884â887.

Sherwood, Joan, Infection of the Innocents: Wet Nurses, Infants, and Syphilis in France, 1780â1900. McGill-Queen's University Press (2010).

""Experiences of a 'Hired Girl'": An Early Twentieth-Century Domestic Worker Speaks Out". historymatters.gmu.edu. Retrieved 22 February 2024.

Thompson, Barbara, ed. "The Body of a Myth: Embodying the Black Mammy Figure in Visual Culture". In Black Womanhood: Images, Icons, and Ideologies of the African Body. Hanover, New Hampshire: Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, 2008.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Wet nurse Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. Historical and cultural interpretations can vary, and practices described may not reflect current standards or medical advice.

This is not medical or historical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified historians, sociologists, or healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding historical context or infant care practices. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Nurturing Bond

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview 📜

🤱 Definition and Role

⏳ Historical Significance

📈 Modern Resurgence

Reasons for Wet Nursing ❓

🏥 Maternal Incapacity

💔 Circumstances of Loss

💅 Social and Personal Choices

Eliciting and Maintaining Lactation 💧

💡 The Physiology of Lactation

📚 Capacity for Sustained Nursing

Historical and Cultural Practices 🌍

🏛️ Ancient Rome

🇮🇳 India

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

🇫🇷 France

🇺🇸 United States

🇪🇬 Ancient Egypt

Mythology and Cultural Narratives 🎭

📖 Ancient Lore

📜 Cross-Cultural Traditions

Relationships Forged 🤝

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Familial and Social Ties

🔄 Reciprocal Nurturing

Contemporary Perspectives 📈

🤔 Western Cultural Ambivalence

🌍 Global Practices

🗣️ Open Dialogue

Notable Figures in Wet Nursing 🌟

👑 Ancient Royalty

👑 Asian and Ottoman Figures

👑 European and Islamic Figures

🌟 Remarkable Capacities

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

Definition and Role

Historical Significance

Modern Resurgence

Reasons for Wet Nursing

Maternal Incapacity

Circumstances of Loss

Social and Personal Choices

Eliciting and Maintaining Lactation

The Physiology of Lactation

Capacity for Sustained Nursing

Historical and Cultural Practices

Ancient Rome

India

United Kingdom

France

United States

Ancient Egypt

Mythology and Cultural Narratives

Ancient Lore

Cross-Cultural Traditions

Relationships Forged

Familial and Social Ties

Reciprocal Nurturing

Contemporary Perspectives

Western Cultural Ambivalence

Global Practices

Open Dialogue

Notable Figures in Wet Nursing

Ancient Royalty

Asian and Ottoman Figures

European and Islamic Figures

Remarkable Capacities

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice