The article analyzes swaddling's historical significance and its implications for medieval infant skeletal health. While swaddling dates back to ancient civilizations, with practices noted by Roman and medieval scholars claiming it helps prevent deformities, recent archaeological research indicates potential drawbacks. Studies reveal osteolytic conditions, particularly in the radius, linked to the immobilization caused by swaddling. As infants were often swaddled for extended periods, this may have contributed negatively to their skeletal development, highlighting a tension between historical practices and modern understandings of child health.
The practice of swaddling, with its historical roots in ancient civilizations, raises questions about the skeletal development of medieval infants, particularly through archaeological findings.
Swaddling was commonly employed in medieval Europe, believed to promote healthy growth, yet new archaeological evidence highlights its potential adverse effects on infant skeletal development.
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