It’s funny, but ever since I can remember, I’ve heard my mother talk about things the “elders” used to say. It was all about what you could and couldn’t do, this or that to help with breastfeeding and postpartum… In fact, as a child I believed almost everything my mother said, after all, her reference was the “truths” my grandmother used to tell her, and that was the culture I grew up in. As time went by and, being as curious as I am, I started to research everything my mother said—and of course, what my maternal grandmother said as absolute truth.
The truth is, people didn’t really have explanations for things that happened, so they created myths around them that ended up becoming popular superstitions, heavily influencing new mothers at the time. And who knows, maybe even today—with so much information available online and from doctors—a little superstition still lingers. But what am I talking about? What exactly are the popular beliefs surrounding motherhood that women lived with years ago? Let’s take a look!
Metal near the breast: You shouldn’t put metal near your chest while breastfeeding. If there was any metal, iron, or even a chain close to the breast during breastfeeding, the milk could dry up without warning. The milk would disappear suddenly! Also, if the mother kept a key in her bra, her child could be born with a split lip, known as a cleft lip1. However, we know that a cleft lip is due to a malformation, when the sides of the face don’t come together properly. It has nothing to do with keeping a key on your breast.
Necklace or chain: when worn during pregnancy, it could supposedly make the umbilical cord wrap around the baby’s neck. Today we know that the umbilical cord can wrap around the baby’s neck regardless of whether the mother wears a necklace or not. This is because the baby’s movements in the womb can cause the cord to “get tangled” around the neck or another part of the body. The umbilical cord is made of a highly flexible material, like a firm gelatin, or silicone, for example. Even if it wraps around the baby’s neck once or twice, it’s not usually serious because it stretches. But every case is different, and a simple accessory or piece of jewelry won’t put your baby at risk.
Siamese banana: If a pregnant woman eats a conjoined (siamese) banana, the baby (a body part) or babies (if twins) could be born joined together. Honestly, I have no idea where this superstition could have come from. Maybe in the past, people made a connection between these beliefs and the rare cases of children born fused together or with body parts joined, such as webbed toes, or any part of the body.
Heartburn and hairy babies: You know that awful heartburn pregnant women get? People say it’s linked to how much hair the baby will have inside the womb. Who hasn’t heard—“Got heartburn? Your baby’s going to be hairy!” But scientifically, there’s no real connection2. It’s just a saying, and personally I’ve seen cases where women had terrible heartburn and their babies were bald. Just a coincidence?
Pointy belly vs. round belly: This one is very well-known! Who hasn’t heard that women with pointy bellies are expecting boys, and those with round bellies are expecting girls? Supposedly the shape of your belly says a lot to your grandmother, aunt, godmother, etc., but there’s no specific physiological link between the belly shape and the baby’s sex. What actually happens depends on a woman’s body type and the position of the uterus3 as well as the amount of room your belly has to grow outwards or sideways. A thin woman with narrow hips has a belly that sticks out, so it appears pointy. A woman with wide hips has more space on the sides, so her belly looks round. This happens regardless of the child’s sex.
Popular Superstitions After Baby is Born
Children seeing their reflection in the mirror: Based on these beliefs, after birth, if a baby is placed in front of a mirror, they’ll take longer to recognize themselves in the future and will also take longer to start speaking. In theory, children start to speak between age 1 and 3. If it doesn’t happen, the mirror isn’t to blame—it’s best to see a doctor.
Clothes left out at night and baby’s colic: According to my dear grandmother, if the baby’s clothes are left outside at night, exposed to dew, it could cause colic. But we know colic actually happens for reasons unrelated to clothing. If the baby is breastfed, colic can be linked to what the mother eats. Cabbage, coffee, soda, milk, and some foods can cause the baby to get gas. If the baby isn’t dressed warmly in the cold, that too can cause gas and tummy aches. Talk to the pediatrician—if medication is needed, they will help, but remember there are many ways to relieve baby colic.
Baby or small child, age 4, with head down looking between their legs is calling for a sibling: Last but not least, who hasn’t heard of this popular belief? If your child is looking between their legs with their hands on the floor and facing you, they’re “calling” for a sibling! I remember this perfectly—when I was playing and did that pose, my mother would tell me to stop and give me three taps on my bottom. That was so no baby would come! LOL So, if your child is in this pose, it could be a sign a new baby wants to come, you know?
Whether you believe in them or not, respecting them is important. Although many of these superstitions have been debunked, the tradition remains in some families. If your mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, or aunt say something, it’s because they’ve seen it happen, at least once. It doesn’t hurt to be a little cautious.
See also: Espinhela Caida, Bucho Virado and Mal de Sete Dias – Myths and Truths
Photo: Renée D’Avila, I_am_Joey_H
