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Biblical Breastfeeding

© Shawna Smith

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.

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