BREAST-FEEDING

A HISTORIC RESCUE

Abstract

This article addresses the theme of breastfeeding through a rescue of this practice at different times in history, recovering beliefs and meanings attributed to the phenomenon in different periods of humanity, among other specific aspects related to it. It also points out several strategies used in infant feeding, in different times and social contexts, analyzing their repercussions on women's decision-making on whether or not to offer breast milk as an exclusive food for their children. Evidences support that artificial feeding is as old as the history of human civilization and that the value attributed to breast milk and its advantages - nutritional and affective - currently present fluctuations also observed throughout history, in different societies. It is reaffirmed that the act of breastfeeding or not at the breast, despite having an expression at the biological level, stems from processes that transcend this level and is historically and culturally conditioned. It becomes evident that this practice stems from a complex network of relationships in which a wide range of elements and dimensions participate, many of which are examined here, suffering fluctuations in different historical moments and in different social contexts. This complexity needs to be considered within the scope of health actions aimed at encouraging this practice.