Stand and Deliver: Breastfeeding History Moment: LDS Sacrament Meeting 1871

Rixa has an interesting post from Mormon History:

“From this illustration I learned several things about the culture and practice of breastfeeding at this time & place (probably Utah):

1) Public breastfeeding was accepted as normal in mixed company and during worship services.
2) LDS women breastfed in public without a cover or blanket.

3) The norms of dress at the time meant women unbuttoned their dresses at the chest area to nurse. In the closeups below, you’ll see that the collar of the dress remains buttoned up at the neck.”

I nursed my babies in church, most often in the mothers nursing room, but if it made sense to stay where I was, I just nursed in Sacrament Meeting.  I had a couple of Motherwear Dresses and always used my sling for privacy, and usually only my hubby knew the baby was latched.

Jenny Hatch

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