01/23/2025
Clients always ask what women did “back in the olden days” when a mom might not have had milk or moms passed away in childbirth.
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In 1958, a child in El Mojon, Teguise, Lanzarote, was seen suckling from a goat, an image that reflects a long-standing practice in history where goats were used as wet nurses in the absence of a mother's milk or when hiring a human wet nurse was financially out of reach. Historically, goats were often preferred because their milk was seen as a safe, accessible alternative to human milk. In the 16th century, concerns over diseases like syphilis led many mothers to reject human wet nurses, and goats were deemed a reliable and healthier option for feeding infants.
The use of goat’s milk as a substitute for human breast milk gained popularity in the 18th century, especially in regions where hiring a wet nurse was expensive. Medical writers from this period, including Pierre Brouzet, noted that children raised on goat’s milk were strong and healthy. In fact, medical practitioners such as William Potts Dewees highlighted the benefits of animal milks, particularly goats' milk, over cow's milk, which was commonly used in early American infant feeding. This practice was especially widespread when other options were unavailable, and the belief that direct suckling from the goat helped with digestion made it more popular.
Despite its advantages, the practice of using goats as wet nurses eventually faced criticism and lost favor due to various health concerns. However, it was revived in the late 19th century in children's hospitals in Paris, particularly for infants suffering from syphilis. The historical preference for goats’ milk represents an interesting chapter in the evolution of infant feeding practices, illustrating how cultural and medical considerations have shaped the care of infants throughout history.
