World Breastfeeding Week: The History of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has been around for as long as humans have… but it wasn’t actually legally protected in all 50 US states until 2018. Today, we’re taking a quick journey through the history of breastfeeding, from ancient civilizations to modern-day laws, and how culture has shaped the way we feed our babies.
Before Modern Medicine
Breastfeeding has been the biological norm for humans since the beginning of our species. Ancient artwork from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and countless other civilizations depicts mothers nursing their babies. Before modern day alternatives were created, breastfeeding was how infants survived.
Wet Nurses & Early Infant Feeding
Throughout history, some families (especially royalty and the wealthy) employed wet nurses to breastfeed their babies. During the 1800s, commercial infant foods and homemade substitutes started appearing, but most did not provide adequate nutrition or were contaminated. This, unfortunately, contributed to high rates of infant illness and death.
The Decline of Breastfeeding
In the mid-1900s, aggressive marketing and changing cultural attitudes led a lot of families to believe that bottle-feeding was more modern, scientific, and convenient. This led to breastfeeding rates dropping dramatically in many countries throughout the world.
As more research emerged on the benefits of human breastmilk, healthcare organizations began supporting, promoting, and protecting breastfeeding again, and rates slowly started to increase.
Breastfeeding Rights Came Really Late
Even while breastfeeding has existed for as long as humans have, legal protection for breastfeeding (specifically while out in public) are surprisingly super recent.
It wasn’t until 2018, yes you read that right, 2018 that breastfeeding became legally protected in all 50 U.S. states, when Idaho became the last state to pass legislation protecting the right for mothers to breastfeed in public.
Federal laws, like The PUMP Act, have also given workplace protections, giving U.S. employees the right to a reasonable break time and a private place (other than a bathroom) to pump at work.
Read About Your Rights While Breastfeeding in Public →
Where We Are Today
Breastfeeding is once again recognized by major medical organizations (like the ABM, AAP, CDC, WHO, etc.) as the biological norm for infant feeding and is recommended because of its proven health benefits for both babies and mothers. But despite this, so many mothers still face challenges and struggles from the lack of paid leave, workplace support, public stigma, and misinformation to just name a few.
Breastfeeding isn’t a new "trend", it’s an innate and biological practice that’s been part of human history for thousands of years. Every time a mother breastfeeds in public, advocates for better support, or helps in normalizing it, she's helping restore something incredible that’s always deserved to be and belonged in our communities.
The history of breastfeeding reminds me that while feeding our babies is one of the oldest human traditions, fully supporting breastfeeding mothers is something we’re still working toward. Every conversation, every act of support, and every mother who feels empowered to breastfeed helps shape the future.
