Biblical Breastfeeding

I have recently become interested in the contrast between modern-day breastfeeding, and the way ancient cultures looked at breastfeeding. Of particular interest to me was any reference to breastfeeding in the Bible. It is my belief that God designed women to feed their babies from their breasts, and not for only 6 months, as is the norm today. Women in Bible times nursed their children for years – yes, years. The advantages from breastfeeding all point to a Grand Design.

There are numerous verses in the Bible that simply refer to breastfeeding. For example,

1Kings 3:21 “And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck…”

Genesis 21:7 “And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? For I have born [him] a son in his old age.”

“Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?” [Job 3:12, New King James Version]

“If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother's breasts! …” [Song of Solomon 8:1, NIV]

“And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!’" [Luke 11:27, NKJV]

Some might say that this is unremarkable; since there was no formula in those days, then there was no choice but for women to nurse. However, I think there is so much more to it than just necessity. When you look at these next verses, you see the Bible describing breastfeeding as a great comfort, compassion, and a blessing to people.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" [Isaiah 49:15, NIV]

"Because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb." [Genesis 49:25, NIV]

“Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her, That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon [her] sides, and be dandled upon [her] knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:10-13)

This last passage in particular speaks volumes of how breastfeeding is a comfort that a mother gives to her child. Observe how God likens the way He will comfort His people to the way a mother comforts the child at her breast. Powerful words! This one passage alone tells me that formula feeding – when not medically necessary – is going against the way God designed women.

There is no set age given in the Bible for when a woman weaned, but it is possible to determine that it was around age 2 or 3. (NOT 6 months!) There is one passage in particular that illustrates this.

“When the man Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always." "Do what seems best to you," Elkanah her husband told her. "Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his word." So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.” [1 Samuel 1:21-24, NIV]

Hannah is going to bring her son, Samuel, to serve in the temple after he is weaned. Now, no one would suggest for a moment that she was bringing a baby to the temple; he would have to be old enough to be of service. This would mean AT LEAST three years old.

The idea of only nursing a baby for a few months is actually a very modern idea, and probably influenced by the advertising of formula and baby food companies.

The Bible speaks ill of those who choose not to breastfeed. (Again, unless physically/medically unable to) Lamentations 4:3 “Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people [is become] cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.”

What this verse is saying is that even sea monsters have the heart to nurse their young. The “daughter of my people” mentioned in this verse is not nursing her children, and is being compared to ostriches. Ostriches abandon their offspring.

Apparently, not being able to nurse was also considered an awful curse. "Give them, O LORD-- what will you give them? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that are dry." [Hosea 9:14, NIV]

Based on these and other passages in the Bible, I think it is fair to draw the conclusion that our Lord designed a perfect way for humans to nourish their young – through breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding – which I have outlined in other articles – are just part of the rewards for doing the right thing.