About 2 years ago I wrote a long post to Lactnet concerning vocabulary
used to describe breastfeeding in various European languages from the
medieval period to the modern period. To summarize briefly (and in modern
English only): In Germanic languages, the basic words used were either
"suckle" or plain old "feed."  Of course there was then only one way to
feed a baby!  Romance languages used the word "nurse," which is also
cognate to both "nourish" and "nurture."  I only found *one* reference to
"breastfeeding," where the word breast was specified, and that was in Old
Norse, specifically Icelandic.  As someone has pointed out, the Icelandic
peoples have a bit more a history with artificial feeding.

Modern English is a Germanic language with heavy Romance language
influence dating from the medieval period (1066 to be specific).  So, we
have a lot of vocabulary choices!  I have to admit I am personally
disinclined toward "breastfeeding" as I feel it sounds clinical and
because I feel it implies the alternative--"bottle feeding."  To me,
"nursing" expresses better the warmth and depth of the relationship, not
just feeding method, involved.  Notably, our young children don't tend to
call it "breastfeeding," but a host of charming pet names that more often
than not they use to describe feeding, comfort, their action, mother's
action, and mother's anatomy all in one term/phrase.

Penny Piercy, LLL Leader
Wife to Van for 8 years, Mom to Patrick (4.5 yrs.) & Sarah (2 mo.)
from Bloomington, IN  <[log in to unmask]>

P.S.  I have gone nomail because of demands associated with my LLL Area's
upcoming conference.  Please direct any responses to me through private
email (or cc them to me if you post to the list).  Thanks!