Wet nurse

A wet nurse is a woman who breastfeeds and cares for someone elses child.  In ancient times this was very common, partly because many women died in childbirth.  Many babies died so women were available to do this. Wealthy people would pay women to do this.O'Reilly, Andrea, "Wet Nursing," Encyclopedia of Motherhood (2010): 1271

Since infant formula was invented this has become much less common.

 References 

Category:Nursing
Category:Babies