Breastfeeding saved babies in 19th century Montreal

McGill and Concordia research points to the influence of cultural infant feeding practices such as how long to breastfeed, what food supplements to introduce, on the health of infants, mothers, and families in Montreal in the 19th century.

"Even though most French and Irish Catholics lived in similar working class conditions, the positive effects of later marriage and longer breastfeeding among Irish Catholics protected their infants and children, while French Canadians' infants were negatively impacted by early weaning."

Breastfeeding saved babies in 19th century Montreal: Breastfeeding saved babies in 19th century Montreal
December 20, 2011
Breastfeeding increased infant survival rates in 19th -Century Montreal in two major ways, according to research from Concordia University and McGill University. Mother's milk protected vulnerable infants from food and water contaminated by fecal bacteria, while breastfeeding postponed the arrival of more siblings and that improved the health of mothers as well as their subsequent children....