Cradle Boarding
September 6th 2011 18:02
A cradle board is a Native American baby carrier used to keep babies secure. Wrapped tightly to a hardboard cushioned with lichens, moss and shredded bark, the baby was only able to turn his head.
Strapped to the back of the mother, it allowed freedom to work and travel.
Ethnographic tradition indicates it was common to cradleboard newborn children until they were able to walk, often for the first two years of life.
It was said the baby felt safe in this binding.
Most of us are probably cringing reading this. For to bind a baby to a board save and except when he was being cleaned seems to cripple him. He will be retarded in his growth.
There seems no current study as to whether the effects of such treatment are long lasting, it is clear though that the non-cradle boarded baby would be reaching for theings, trying to creep and exploring his world, instead of being made a virtual paraplegic for the first years of his life.
Recently I met a woman who virutally cradle boarded her child. He was 8 months only, never out of heer arms, never alone, sleeping with her, and only rarely put down.
He did not reach for food, he could not crawl, and cried more than any child of his age I had encountered.
Far from being a generally happy child, far from being inquisitive and secure, anything could set him into screaming.
A comparable 8 month old was pulling herself up to stand, and trying to manuvere, putting food in her own mouth, holding her own bottle, and generally being happy.
I said nothing to 'cradle boarding' woman because as you learn, people think they know everything, and unless they ask for advice, giving it only creates animosity.
Do I think it is torture? Certainly.
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