Å»ywienie niemowlÄ t na ziemiach polskich na przełomie XIX i XX wieku

In the 19th century it was common for mothers, especially from poor environments, to breastfeed infants, which was also recommended by Polish doctors. Breast milk was considered the optimal food for a child, provided the mother followed an appropriate diet and maintained hygiene standards. Polish pediatricians also clearly emphasized the necessity of breastfeeding. For better-off families the ultimate alternative could be a wet nurse, which was at the same time less and less accepted by doctors. Breastfeeding on demand gradually gave way to breastfeeding at fixed times. Weaning, recommended for between the 7th and the 9th month, lowered the quality of food and posed a greater threat of gastrointestinal infections and malnutrition. In formula feeding, the most common were simple mixtures of cow milk, water and sugar. Initially, the ratio of milk to water was 1:1 and then was increased to 2:1. Around the 4th to 6th month of age there was a transition to undiluted cow milk which had to be boiled or pasteurized. Formula feeding, e.g. with diluted cow milk or mixtures based on the milk, would often result in children's diseases or even in death. The mortality rate of formula-fed infants was significantly higher than of the breastfed ones. Improved quality of milk and formulas, evaporated milk (e.g.“Milkmaid”), ready-made preparations, including advertised powdered milk (e.g. by Nestlé), in the early 20th century gradually led to an increased confidence in formula feeding. Nevertheless, Polish pediatricians still stressed the superiority of breastfeeding over formula feeding.