According to Muslim sources, noble families of pre-Islamic Mecca gave their children to the neighbouring Bedouin tribes for nursing. Traditionally, this custom was explained by the necessity to protect children against dangers of the city or as a means to introduce them to the “pure Arabic” culture of the desert. This article proposes a different explanation for this practice. An analysis of milk-kinship practices in other cultures and of Prophetic hadith suggests that giving one's children to a neighbour tribe to foster was likely a ritual way to establish and maintain socio-political ties and alliances.