Isotopic reconstruction of short to absent breastfeeding in a 19th century rural Dutch community

Most infants in 19th-century Beemster, a rural Dutch dairy farming community, were not breastfed or were breastfed for only brief periods. This finding challenges the assumption that breastfeeding was the norm in pre-modern Europe. Stable nitrogen and carbon isotope analysis of bone collagen from 277 individuals revealed that cow's milk and paps with sugar were primary infant foods, often introduced within weeks to months of age. Despite factors typically associated with high breastfeeding rates—such as a Protestant environment and dairy farming—Beemster's mothers likely prioritized labor demands, including dairy production, over prolonged breastfeeding. The study highlights the influence of community values, traditions, and workload on infant feeding practices.

Waters-Rist, A. L., de Groot, K., & Hoogland, M. L. P. (2022). Isotopic reconstruction of short to absent breastfeeding in a 19th century rural Dutch community. Plos One, 17(4), e0265821. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265821