1. Preventing Palace Intrigue and Influencing Politics
The absolute power of a feudal emperor did not entertain any sharing or influence from the harem. Should a prince be raised too closely with his biological mother, a dependent relationship could form, allowing concubines and their families to meddle in politics when their son ascended the throne.
Especially, princes who were breastfed by their mothers tended to have a deep attachment to their maternal family, which was considered a taboo. Thus, emperors forbade concubines from breastfeeding and established a wet nurse system to proactively control the influence of the harem and detach mother-child bonds.
2. Preserving the Dignity and Status of Concubines
Since the Song Dynasty, Confucian ideology imposed stringent moral standards upon women in the palace. Concubines, particularly those of higher ranks, were expected to uphold an image of grace and modesty, refraining from acts deemed as exposing their bodies. Breastfeeding was considered inappropriate for the dignity of imperial consorts.
Moreover, concubines had to maintain their beauty to retain the emperor’s favor. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding could hinder their figure recovery, leading to potential disfavor. Hence, they relied on wet nurses to care for their children while preserving their appearance and influence within the harem.
Notably, while the profession of wet nurses emerged during the Zhou Dynasty, it was later abolished and even condemned by Confucius. However, in subsequent dynasties, the system was reinstated and became an integral part of the imperial harem.
3. Poor Medical Conditions and Lactation Issues
In ancient times, limited postpartum care often left concubines debilitated and unable to produce sufficient breast milk. Unlike today, where formula milk is available, wet nurses were essential, especially in the imperial household, where the selection process was rigorous. Wet nurses had to be healthy, have given birth to at least three children, and possess an abundant supply of milk. They were also assigned according to the gender of the imperial offspring to ensure specialized care.
4. Breastfeeding as a Taxing Task and Impact on Fertility
Breastfeeding in ancient times was inconvenient due to the absence of supportive clothing and cumbersome court rituals that left concubines with little time to tend to their children. Additionally, the high infant mortality rate prompted the palace to rely on wet nurses to ensure the swift recovery of concubines and their preparedness for subsequent pregnancies, which were crucial for dynastic succession.
5. Boosting the Imperial Prince’s Immunity
Breast milk is recognized as the optimal source of nutrition to strengthen immunity and brain development. Lacking sterilization technology or formula milk, the imperial family had to select women with ample breast milk to nourish the young princes. Wet nurses were chosen not only for their health but also for their stable family backgrounds and living husbands, ensuring stable mental and physical conditions during the nursing period.
Wet Nurses: Lowly Position, High Influence
Despite their primary role in caring for imperial princes, wet nurses often held elevated status within the harem. They were generously compensated, well-fed, and sometimes granted official positions or involved in court affairs if trusted by the princes or the emperor.
For instance, Wan Zhen’er, the wet nurse of Ming Emperor Zhu Jianshen, was bestowed the title of “Fengsheng Furen” and held considerable influence in decision-making within the palace. While such cases were rare, they underscored the unique power wielded by wet nurses in the imperial court.
In conclusion, forbidding concubines from breastfeeding served not only to protect their dignity and health but also as a political strategy to control power and maintain order within the harem. Consequently, the role of wet nurses became a critical link in the structure of the feudal imperial family.
