Artificial breastfeeding, 19th-century illustration. In cases where a mother was unable to provide milk for her baby, the baby might be breastfed by another woman (a role sometimes known as a 'wet nurse'). Alternatively, the baby might be fed milk in a bottle or other system. Some of the artificial systems invented in France in the late 19th century are shown here. Artwork from 'Hygiene et Medecine Des Deux Sexes' (1890) by French author Alexis Clerc (1841-1894).