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Babies are often referred to as God’s gift. And being gifts from God, it’s natural to do everything one can to make sure that their babies are happy, healthy, and safe. But some people go the extra mile in welcoming their baby into the world. Here, we list down 12 baby customs from different parts of the globe that are sure to leave you dumbstruck.
1. Newborns In China Are Stimulated In Their Private Parts!
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Yes, you heard that right. Apparently, the people belonging to the Mancho community practice this tradition as a way of showing fondness to the babies. While the girls receive tickling on their lady parts, boys receive stimulation from their mothers orally. We are truly speechless.
2. Karaha Pujan In India
Karaha Pujan is a tradition where the babies are bathed in boiling milk. We don’t know the science or logic behind this inhuman practice. But thankfully this tradition has been banned in the country.
3. Swedish Babies Are Left To Sleep In Sub-Zero Temperatures
Babies from Sweden are left to sleep outside in sub-zero temperatures. Apparently, leaving them alone to brave the cold helps them to become immune against cold and cough.
4. No Contact With The Ground For Three Months For Balinese Babies
In Bali, babies are considered to be sacred. Hence it is believed that the babies shouldn’t be allowed to touch the ground for a period of three months after birth. Until then, they are carried around in the arms. The Balinese people believe in letting the baby touch the ground only after they complete 105 days.
5. Japanese Believe In Preserving The Umbilical Cord
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The umbilical cord is the one thing that connects the mom to the baby while in the womb. Apparently, some woman in Japan was so ecstatic after giving birth that she decided to preserve her umbilical cord in a box. Soon others followed suit and that is how it became a tradition in Japan.
6. In Ireland, Babies’ Foreheads Are Smeared With Cake
Sure, it doesn’t sound so bad. But what if we tell you it was the cake saved from their wedding. Even if the couple conceived soon after the wedding, the cake is easily 9 months old. We feel bad for the poor little soul.
7. Cold Water Bath In Guatemala
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In Guatemala, bathing babies in cold water is believed to keep them in good health and sleep better. We hope there is some explanation for this practice.
8. In Spain, A Man Is Made To Jump Over Babies
A man who symbolizes the devil is believed to jump over the babies to ward off the evil spirits. Apparently, this custom is practiced for the well-being of the babies.
9. Cry, Baby, Cry
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Japanese people hand over their babies to sumo wrestlers to make them cry. It is believed to make the baby healthy by warding off the evil spirit.
10. In Mauritania, Babies Get Spit On
Men of the Wolof tribe spit in the babies’ ears while women spit on their faces. This saliva is then rubbed all over the head to ward off the evil omen.
11. In Pakistan, Baby’s Head Is Shaved
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The baby’s hair is shaved off once they are seven days old. This hair is then donated to the rich in exchange for gold or silver.
12. In Finland, Babies Sleep In Cardboard Boxes
Keeping with a 75-year-old tradition, babies in Finland are made to sleep in cardboard boxes. The box which is given to the mother is stocked with baby essentials and is the baby’s first bed. Apparently, they even have condoms in it. We wonder why!
Some of these customs may sound ridiculous. But each country has its tradition and we respect it regardless. Is there any country that you thought took it a bit too far with their baby customs?
