Infant feeding in colonial Australia 1788-1900

In nineteenth century Australia, concern to reduce a high infant mortality rate prompted discussion of various alternatives in infant feeding practices. Breast feeding was encouraged, although problems inherent in the practice of wet nursing were highlighted. Warnings against adulterated milk and poorly prepared cereal food were frequent. At the end of the nineteenth century a consensus had been reached which paved the way for the development of the educative initiatives of the infant welfare movement of the twentieth century.