Babies are the most delicate beings on the planet. Taking care of them requires immense patience, love, and attention.
In ancient times, when there were no modern facilities available to take care of infants, people had to rely on traditional methods to feed and nurture their babies. Let’s explore how babies were fed in ancient times.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding was the most common and popular method of feeding babies in ancient times. It was considered the best way to provide all the necessary nutrients that a baby needed for proper growth and development. Women used to breastfeed their babies until they were old enough to eat solid food.
Wet Nursing
Wet nursing was another common practice in ancient times. It involved hiring a lactating woman to breastfeed an infant who was not her own. This practice was prevalent among wealthy families who could afford it but could not or did not want to breastfeed their babies themselves.
Animal Milk
In some cultures, animal milk was used as an alternative to breastfeeding or wet nursing. Cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and sheep’s milk were commonly used for this purpose. However, animal milk was not as nutritious as human breast milk and often caused digestive problems for infants.
Honey
Honey was also used as a sweetener in infant formulas in ancient times. It was believed that honey had medicinal properties that could help treat various ailments such as coughs and colds.
Porridge
Porridge made from grains such as rice or barley was another popular food for infants in ancient times. The porridge would be cooked with water or animal milk and fed to the baby using a spoon or fingers.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables were introduced into an infant’s diet as they grew older. Mashed, boiled, or stewed fruits and vegetables were given to babies as a supplement to milk or porridge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, feeding and nurturing infants in ancient times required a lot of patience and knowledge. Breastfeeding was the most common and popular method of feeding babies, while wet nursing was prevalent among wealthy families.
Animal milk, honey, porridge, and fruits and vegetables were also used to feed infants. Although these methods may seem primitive compared to today’s standards, they were effective in ensuring that babies received the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development.