Claudia ValeggiaRosen, Natalie2023-05-222023-05-222013-04-012016-05-26https://repository.upenn.edu/handle/20.500.14332/1580This paper explores the evolutionary and cross-‐cultural significance of wet-nursing, an ancient, cultural practice in which infants are breastfed by women other than their mothers. With reviews of literature, meta-‐analyses, and fieldwork, this work explores the history and biology of wet-nursing and concludes the three primary evolutionary advantages of the practice: optimization of lactational beneficiaries, logical resource provisioning, and increased community altruism.AnthropologyDissertation/Thesis