The Role of Mothers in Childbirth

7th century scholar Isadora of Seville had a nicely definitive schema that had infancy up to the age of 7, childhood until 14 and adolescence until 28. The care of babies would in some ways vary according to your station in life although there were no doubt many commonalities. In England for example the tradition was to swaddle babies. But in feeding the newborn if you are of noble or affluent birth you would in all likelihood find yourself a wet nurse rather than breastfeeding yourself. It's interesting just how much of a role the church felt it had in these things.