After Live Birth

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              After the baby’s first bath, mother and daughter are united. The first week is a critical week for mother and child. It is the most important bonding time for the two; the mother must also protect the baby from the evil spirit world. To help strengthen and protect her child the mother will give it herbs and medicines. She herself will also drink special herbs to recover from labor more quickly.

viii.  Tying a piece of twig around the wrist of the child will also help protect it from harmful spirits and forces.

The umbilical cord at this point isn’t completely off yet. Mixing shea butter and clay and placing it on the childs stomach, will help the umbilical cord fall off. Once it falls off, the family keeps it for medicine. For example, if a child would have a stomachache the umbilical cord will be dipped (three times for boys and four times for girls) into water which the child will then drink, to ix. make it feel better.