I don’t believe infanticide was a common thing at any point.
For one, people in the past were well aware that some herbs had a dampening effect on fertility (not as comprehensive as modern methods, but still apparently visible emough). Together with a longer breastfeeding period and less nutrition, that will have been enough to curtail the actual amount of pregnancies.
People loved their children. There are enough grave inscriptions and stories detailing the depth of grief or framing a willingness to sacrifice your own kid as remarkable obedience (Abraham and Isaac, Cepheus and Andromeda). I see no reason to believe that this should have been so different in the cultures before recorded history.
I don’t believe infanticide was a common thing at any point.
For one, people in the past were well aware that some herbs had a dampening effect on fertility (not as comprehensive as modern methods, but still apparently visible emough). Together with a longer breastfeeding period and less nutrition, that will have been enough to curtail the actual amount of pregnancies.
People loved their children. There are enough grave inscriptions and stories detailing the depth of grief or framing a willingness to sacrifice your own kid as remarkable obedience (Abraham and Isaac, Cepheus and Andromeda). I see no reason to believe that this should have been so different in the cultures before recorded history.