Ancient baby's teeth have revealed that Neanderthals followed today's breastfeeding guidelines. Scientists analyzed a fossilized baby tooth from a Neanderthal child, and found the infant was breastfed exclusively for the first seven months of life and given supplementary foods and mother's milk for another seven months before being weaned.
This fascinating discovery sheds light on the remarkable similarities between Neanderthal parenting practices and contemporary breastfeeding guidelines. By examining the composition of the fossilized baby tooth, scientists have uncovered valuable insights into the dietary patterns of our ancient relatives.
The Neanderthal infant's exclusive breastfeeding for the first seven months of life mirrors the advice provided by modern healthcare professionals, highlighting the significance of breastfeeding for early infant nutrition. This practice likely provided crucial nutrients and immunity support during a critical period of development.
Furthermore, the revelation that supplementary foods and mother's milk were introduced for an additional seven months before weaning underscores the complexity of Neanderthal child-rearing strategies. It suggests that these ancient hominins might have possessed a sophisticated understanding of the nutritional needs of their offspring, providing them with a diverse diet as they grew.
