[Infant nutrition in a historical perspective].

Throughout history man, with few exceptions, has meant that breast feeding is best for the infant. In poor countries with bad hygiene this can still be a question of life or death. However, during several millennia up to the end of the 19th century, there have been many periods and cultures when the upper classes have preferred to have wet nurses for their babies. Artificial feeding is known from the Roman empire from the time around the birth of Christ. For centuries, many misconceptions have had an influence on infant feeding, often with serious consequences for the baby and the mother. Since the latter half of the 19th century infant feeding based on scientific observations has gradually emerged, and further progress is expected in the coming years. Recent research has shown that the infant's diet is more important than it was thought to be ten years ago.