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Issue 2 (91)

MILK IN THE HOME DIET OF URBAN YOUNG CHILDREN IN RUSSIA OF THE LATE 19TH — EARLY 20TH CENTURIES
Year	2026	Number	2 (91)
Pages	190-198	Type	scientific article
UDC	94(470.23)”18/19”:613.2	BBK	63.3(2-2СПб)+51.23
Authors	Veremenko Valentina A. Sutula Julia V.	Topic	HISTORICAL MOSAIC
Summary	The article, written within the framework of methodology of the everyday life history, based on a wide range of sources, characterizes the use of animal milk in the practice of feeding young children in large cities of Russia at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries. Cow’s milk, despite the appearance on sale of widely advertised, but extremely expensive and not always high-quality infant formulas, was the main substitute for breast milk. It also became the first and for a long time the main complementary food. Preschool children were also supposed to consume milk in a significant amount. The milk, which was on sale in the cities, was mostly diluted and did not meet even the minimum bacteriological requirements. To a certain extent, the responsible attitude of parents to the product purchase and the use of sterilization equipment offered on the market or special “baby milk” could alleviate the problem. However, this required hygienic knowledge, as well as a significant time and material resource. The most accessible form of saving the babies’ life was milk boiling, which gradually penetrated into mass practice due to the active propaganda activities of hygienists and children’s doctors.
Keywords	post-reform Russia, large cities, baby food, parents, milk, hygiene and sanitation
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