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We wanted to share some of the most interesting traditions with you: some you’ll love so much you might want to adopt them in your family, and some will make you sigh with relief that they’re not part of YOUR culture…
Turkey – There are no baby showers, celebrations are postponed until after the baby is born. Flour is rubbed on the baby’s eyebrow’s and hairline, which will grant the child a long life.
Latin America – Moms observe a quarantine for 40 days where they recuperate from labour (Yes please!)
Germany – Parents must stick to a list of accepted names approved by government
Japan – Fathers are not allowed into the delivery room unless they have taken a prenatal class
Dominican Republic – Folkloric custom is used to determine the sex of the baby, where a spoon, knife and fork are placed under three different chairs. Mom-to-be sits on one: spoon is a girl, knife a boy and fork means the gender is unknown.
Bali – The placenta is buried as it is believed to be alive and almost like a twin sibling outside the home. For three months after birth, babies are also prohibited from touching the ground.
Holland – Has the highest number of home births in the Western World
Brazil – When guests come to see the mom and baby in hospital she gives them a basket of presents . Moms also dress newborns in red.
Finland – Since the 1930s new moms have received the ultimate care package from the state filled with necessities. The country has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world
Pakistan – Aqiqah is a naming ceremony of newborns that takes place on the 7th, 14th or 21st day after the baby is born. The baby’s head is shaved and an animal is sacrificed
Bolivia – Pregnant women may not knit, as it is believed that knitting causes the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby’s neck.
Nigeria – The grandmother gives the baby his/her first bath.
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