NEWSBRIEFS  Volume 56 Number 6, November/December 2003


BREAST IS BEST

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 Analysis of the bones of medieval infants demonstrates that breastfeeding
protected them from disease. (Courtesy English Heritage)


Breastfeeding proponents will hail the results of tests on tenth- to
sixteenth-century bones from the deserted village of Wharram Percy, in
North Yorkshire. The tests demonstrate how otherwise malnourished mothers
were able to protect their children from the harsh struggle for survival
in medieval England by lengthy nursing. Archaeologists were able to
determine the length of weaning by isolating two nitrogen isotopes present
only in breast milk. Breastfeeding not only strengthened the immune
systems of medieval babies but also protected them from ingesting
contaminated food and water, a major source of disease. The first-century
A.D. physician Soranus is the earliest doctor known to have recommended
lengthy breastfeeding, advice that greatly influenced medieval doctors.--
JARRETT A. LOBELL


and As reported by the Washington Post

The Dose
A Weekly Shot of News and Notes

Tuesday, November 4, 2003; Page HE02


MILK BONES Before there was a La Leche League, there was the "harsh
struggle for survival" in medieval England, which apparently led mothers
to lengthen the time they breast-fed their babies, according to an item in
the September/October issue of Archaeology Magazine. Recent tests on bones
of 10th- to 16th-century villagers of Wharram Percy, in North Yorkshire,
revealed two nitrogen isotopes present only in breast milk, suggesting a
lengthy weaning, researchers say. The tests demonstrate how otherwise
malnourished mothers were able to protect their children; breast-feeding
not only strengthened the immune systems of medieval babies but also
protected them from ingesting contaminated food and water.
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Does anyone know how to get the actual report of this study?  I would like
to know how lengthy is lengthy.

  I also found it interesting that the Archeology blurb uses breastfeeding
(one word) and talks about lengthy nursing.  The Post article talks about
breast-feeding (two words) and uses the term "lengthy weaning."  Hmm,
subtle difference in the message, I think.


Charity M. Pitcher-Cooper BSN, RN

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