Black mothers were required to breastfeed their white babies by their masters during the era of the slave trade. In the 1800s, it was typical for women to breastfeed their children from their own breasts, a practice known as “wet nursing.”
The rationale was that since black women were not regarded as being as good as white women, they may produce milk that would be superior to white babies’ mothers’ milk. This practice became popular in the 1800s because it was believed that black women’s milk would make white babies healthier and stronger..
The practice of using a wet nurse is most common among the wealthy and those who are unable to nurse their own child.
For African Americans, the time of the slave trade was one of the darkest moments in history. Many black women were compelled to work as wet nurses for white children at this time. Rich households with young children and those who were unable to breastfeed or could not make enough milk on their own due to recent pregnancies were especially likely to engage in this activity.
The phrase “wet nurse” derives from the French verb “to nurse,” signifying that a wet nurse also breastfed another person’s infant. Wet nurses are typically either married women with a surplus of milk or low-income mothers who require the additional income.
A wet nurse’s responsibilities extend beyond nursing to include giving the baby care and attention as well as serving in many other ways as a mother figure.
