Recommendations of Ancient Greek and Byzantine physicians and philosophers on perinatal nutrition and care.

This mini-narrative historical review presents views and recommendations of Ancient Greek and Byzantine physicians and philosophers, concerning the nutrition and lifestyle, collectively referred in antiquity as 'diet', of pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the nutrition of the foetus and neonate. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in these eras were cared for with regard to their nutrition and well-being, in addition to their clothing, physical exercise and mental health. A number of ancient scholars taught that the foetus was fed through the umbilical cord. Breastfeeding by mothers was warmly recommended, but wet nurses and baby bottles were also available. Relevant information is found in preserved texts of well-known antique physicians and philosophers, who had studied medicine, or discussed medical issues.