During the medieval period, breastfeeding continued to be viewed as the ideal way to nourish infants, but there were significant shifts in social norms and religious beliefs that influenced breastfeeding practices. The Catholic Church, for example, held a strong influence over medieval European societies, and its teachings reinforced the importance of maternal breastfeeding. The Church considered breastfeeding a virtuous act, in keeping with the ideal of maternal sacrifice and nurturing.

However, as in Ancient Rome, wet nursing became increasingly common in medieval Europe, especially among the nobility and the upper classes. Many wealthy families hired wet nurses to breastfeed their children, which was a reflection of the growing separation between motherhood and domestic responsibilities. For these families, breastfeeding was often seen as a task that could be outsourced to another woman, with the wet nurse acting as a surrogate mother. At the same time, the practice of breastfeeding continued to be valued among the lower classes, where mothers nursed their own children out of necessity.

The Renaissance and Early Modern Period: Changing Attitudes Toward Wet Nursing

During the Renaissance and early modern periods, the practice of wet nursing reached new heights, particularly among the European elite. Wet nurses were highly sought after, and the demand for them increased as wealthy women continued to prioritize social and cultural obligations over infant care. Wealthy mothers often did not breastfeed their children because they wanted to preserve their beauty or avoid the physical demands of nursing. Instead, they employed wet nurses, often from rural areas or lower social classes, to care for their children.

The demand for wet nurses during this period led to the creation of institutions known as "wet nurse markets" in some European cities, where women could be hired for their breastfeeding services. The wet nurse was not only responsible for providing milk but also for the child’s overall care, including physical and emotional nurturing. This practice reinforced social hierarchies, as wet nurses were usually from poor or working-class backgrounds, while the aristocratic mothers were able to maintain their status and freedom from direct maternal duties.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, medical theories began to evolve, and many physicians questioned the practice of wet nursing. Some doctors believed that the transfer of emotions and health from the wet nurse to the child could lead to undesirable consequences, including the transmission of illness or negative traits. The idea that a mother’s milk was uniquely tailored to her infant’s needs began to gain popularity, setting the stage for a gradual shift toward maternal breastfeeding. shutdown123