NEWSBRIEFS Volume 56 Number 6, November/December 2003 BREAST IS BEST --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- 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. ---- 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 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html