Its cold season here. And by cold, I mean high 70's low 80's during the day. There is a belief that if you don't put a hat on your baby, cold air will get into the head via the soft spot and your baby will have brain damage and die. Once the soft spot is closed up, a hat is not essential, but still a good idea. Most people are appalled - truly - that I do not put a hat on Baby B's head all day every day. Usually my response of "she's sweating bullets" (or the Bemba equivalent of that phrase) appeases my critics, but its a little intense how every single woman I pass will give me a "tisk, tisk" and tell me to cover my child's head if we are out and she is hatless. Even though I know that no air will enter her head via the soft spot and kill her, I do try to come across to the general population as an attentive mother. I won't let her head get all sweaty, but as long as it stays dry under there, I suppose I'll keep putting a hat on her head.
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| the Kazembe children, properly wearing their knit hats |
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| wearing a hat, and making everyone happy |
I love love love that you are doing this blog. It's so good to hear your motherly thoughts- not only as a new mother, but as one in the village. I'm so curious to hear how having Bronwyn there impacts your relationships with the women.
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