Stable Isotope Analysis of Breastfeeding and Weaning Practices in 19th Century Montreal
Abstract
A plethora of changes occurred in nineteenth century Montreal including industrialization, population growth, urbanization, and women in the workforce. These changes likely affected how infants and children were cared for, including breastfeeding and weaning practices. Using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of serial dentine sections of 21 teeth from a French-Canadian population interred at Saint Antoine (AD 1799-1854), this study reconstructs infant feeding practices from a low-middle socioeconomic status population. Adult female diet emphasized C3 foods with variable terrestrial and aquatic protein. Lack of isotope results limited information about the diets of subadults. In one individual, weaning was underway by 1.0 and completed before 2.5 years-of-age. The cause of the poor isotope results has not been identified but could include diagenesis or laboratory procedures. This study demonstrates the importance of limiting sample destruction, as by only using half the tooth the remaining portion is available for future analysis.