nutrice

Nutrice refers to a woman who nurses or breastfeeds a child, particularly one who is not her own biological offspring. This role has historically been important in various cultures, often fulfilling a crucial need for infant nourishment and care. The practice of wet nursing, where a lactating woman breastfeeds another woman's baby, has ancient roots and was common before the widespread availability of formula. Wet nurses could be employed by wealthy families or by less fortunate mothers who were unable to breastfeed themselves due to illness, death, or other circumstances.

The reasons for employing a wet nurse are diverse. In some societies, it was a status symbol, allowing mothers to maintain their social standing or avoid the perceived physical demands of breastfeeding. In other instances, it was a practical necessity, ensuring the survival of an infant when the biological mother could not provide nourishment. The health and suitability of the wet nurse were paramount, with careful consideration given to her own health and diet to ensure the milk was safe and nutritious for the infant.

While the practice of professional wet nursing has largely declined in many parts of the world with the advent of infant formula and increased emphasis on maternal breastfeeding, the concept of nutrice remains relevant in understanding historical childcare practices and the biological capacity of women to nourish infants. In contemporary contexts, the term might occasionally appear in discussions about donor human milk banks or in literary or historical analyses of family and infant care.