Infant feeding in the 20th century: formula and beikost.

The early years of the 20th century were notable for improvements in general sanitation, dairying practices and milk handling. Most infants were breast-fed, often with some formula feeding as well. Availability of the home icebox permitted safe storage of milk and infant formula, and by the 1920s, feeding of orange juice and cod liver oil greatly decreased the incidence of scurvy and rickets. Use of evaporated milk for formula preparation decreased bacterial contamination and curd tension of infant formulas. From 1930 through the 1960s, breast-feeding declined and cow's milk and beikost were introduced into the diet at earlier and earlier ages. Although commercially prepared formulas, including iron-fortified formulas replaced home-prepared formulas, few infants were breast-fed or formula fed after 4-6 mo of age. Iron deficiency was prevalent. From 1970 through 1999, a resurgence of breast-feeding was associated with a prolongation of formula feeding and an increase in usage of iron-fortified formulas. By the end of the century, formula feeding of older infants had largely replaced feeding of fresh cow's milk and the prevalence of iron deficiency had greatly decreased.

Initiating breastfeeding in postwar Queensland.

The aim of this article, part of a larger study (Thorley 2000), was to determine and examine the practices which surrounded the initiation of breastfeeding in Queensland maternity hospitals in the postwar period, 1945-1965. Although it was assumed that mothers would breastfeed, and sound advice was available on how to achieve a good latch, the often arbitary delay of the first breastfeed, and consistently restrictive practices surrounding the frequency and duration of the feeds, were not conducive to an optimal start for breastfeeding. Staff shortages compounded the situation. Mothers felt powerless and were commonly not informed about whether their babies were being complemented with pooled breastmilk or artificial infant milk in the central nursery, nor were they asked permission for these to be given to their babies. Pooled breastmilk from the postnatal wards was available throughout this period, though in the latter part of this period there appears to have been an increase in the use of artificial milks.

[Infant nutrition in a historical perspective]. / Spedbarnsernaeringen i historisk perspektiv.

Throughout history man, with few exceptions, has meant that breast feeding is best for the infant. In poor countries with bad hygiene this can still be a question of life or death. However, during several millennia up to the end of the 19th century, there have been many periods and cultures when the upper classes have preferred to have wet nurses for their babies. Artificial feeding is known from the Roman empire from the time around the birth of Christ. For centuries, many misconceptions have had an influence on infant feeding, often with serious consequences for the baby and the mother. Since the latter half of the 19th century infant feeding based on scientific observations has gradually emerged, and further progress is expected in the coming years. Recent research has shown that the infant's diet is more important than it was thought to be ten years ago.