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Recommendations of Ancient Greek and Byzantine physicians and philosophers on perinatal nutrition and care
Author(s) -
MalamitsiPuchner Ariadne
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15901
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , byzantine architecture , medicine , narrative , antique , clothing , family medicine , nursing , pediatrics , classics , ancient history , literature , history , art , archaeology
This mini‐narrative historical review presents views and recommendations of Ancient Greek and Byzantine physicians and philosophers, concerning the nutrition and lifestyle, collectively referred in antiquity as ‘diet’, of pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the nutrition of the foetus and neonate. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in these eras were cared for with regard to their nutrition and well‐being, in addition to their clothing, physical exercise and mental health. A number of ancient scholars taught that the foetus was fed through the umbilical cord. Breastfeeding by mothers was warmly recommended, but wet nurses and baby bottles were also available. Relevant information is found in preserved texts of well‐known antique physicians and philosophers, who had studied medicine, or discussed medical issues.