This book is the essential guide to understanding the historical influences that have shaped our ideas about infancy and infant care today. It introduces the key theories, themes, and concepts that have shaped the history of infant care and invites readers to explore how events, approaches, traditions, studies and stories have shaped modern day practice.

From foundlings to wetnurses, community care and edu-carers, it introduces topics about family life, professional roles, and educational settings. The book includes short vignettes, imagery, and case studies as well as extended reflective questions. Each chapter introduces a different topic including pregnancy, parental relationships, developmental studies, the role of the professional and community services available to infants.