Pregnancy traditions: lucky charms, blessings, & traditions for your baby from around the globe

Introduction to global baby traditions 

“Good luck” – something we all want, especially for our babies. Luck and protection rituals have long been a focus of certain cultures during pregnancy and early childhood, that for some provide a sense of comfort and control during uncertain times. These practices, aimed at warding off negative energies and attracting positive influences, are believed by some to create a harmonious environment for mother and child. They often strengthen community and familial bonds as shared traditions passed down through generations. While traditions and rituals can offer a tie to your family history and culture, be sure to enjoy the present - here are some pregnancy self-care tips to get you started! 

Incorporating traditions into your life 

Incorporating new traditions or honoring heritage traditions in daily life can be enriching to some families. If you’re interested, you can start small with a daily ritual or weekly activity. Learn the significance of each tradition to deepen your connection. Involve your family by sharing stories and encouraging participation. Blend old traditions with modern practices, like integrating traditional recipes or cultural music into family gatherings. 

Here are a few customs from around the world used to bless babies with good fortune: 

• Irish traditions: planting a tree of life  The Irish have many traditions, one of which is planting a tree of life. This practice is considered to some as a wonderful way to celebrate a baby's arrival and is also beneficial for the environment. IrishCentral.com offers a Celtic Tree Calendar to determine which tree aligns with the month of your baby's birth. Additionally, in Ireland, it is believed that babies born on May 1st are destined to have good luck.¹ 

• Protective charms in Israel, Puerto Rico, and Brazil  In Israel, some people wear a red string or ribbon as a bracelet to ward off the evil eye, a practice rooted in old Jewish folklore. This string is sometimes tied on a baby’s crib or shoelaces for added protection. Similarly, in Puerto Rico, new babies are given a mano negra de azabache, a red-knotted bracelet believed to ward off evil spirits. In Brazil, knit red baby slippers are gifted to newborns for protection from negative influences. 

• Dominican Republic: garlic and salt protection  In certain regions of the Dominican Republic, protection from evil is a significant concern. Babies are sprinkled with a mixture of mashed garlic cloves and three grains of salt added to Holy Water before baptism, believed to ward off negative forces. 

• Greek superstitions: avoiding night-time clothes drying  Greek tradition advises against washing or air-drying baby clothes at night, as it is thought to attract evil spirits. This superstition highlights the cultural importance placed on safeguarding infants from harm. 

• Hindu tradition: Mundan ceremony  In Hindu culture, a child's first haircut is an important ceremony known as Mundan. It is believed that the child carries undesirable traits from previous lives, and shaving the hair helps to free the baby from these past influences, allowing for progress in the future. This ceremony typically takes place in the first or third year of life. Additionally, Indian girls are often adorned with silver anklets called payals as a gesture of well wishes for their future.² 

• South Korean first birthday: doljabi event  A doljabi event is celebrated on the first birthday of South Korean children. Various symbolic items, such as a rope (representing life), money (wealth), a ball (athletics), and a pencil (academia), are placed on a table. Tradition holds that the item the child picks up first will predict their future path. 

• Chinese naming customs  In China, the naming of a baby is a significant event. The name is chosen to harmonize with the date and time of the baby's birth, ensuring alignment with the elements of water, fire, gold, wood, and earth. A well-chosen name combines these elements to represent a balanced and harmonious life.³ 

• Financial gifts in Japan and the United States  In both Japan and the United States, it is common to give cash as a gift to bless a baby. This gesture symbolizes prosperity and happiness and is often used to start a college fund, reflecting hopes for the child's future success. 

• Andean plateau: knitted alpaca wool hats  On the Andean plateau in South America, which includes Peru and parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador, fathers knit alpaca wool hats with earflaps, known as chullos, for their sons. These hats protect the children from harsh weather conditions and are designed with culturally significant animals, symbolizing admirable traits. 

• Guyana baby showers  In Guyana, South America, baby showers are typically held when the baby turns nine days old. Guests bring gifts, including gold bangle bracelets for both boys and girls, as a way to wish for a prosperous future. 

• Bangladeshi postpartum practices  In Bangladesh, it is traditional for family members to encourage mothers to stay indoors with their newborns for 40 days after birth, to protect them from negative forces. This practice parallels the common postpartum recovery period in the United States, which lasts about six weeks (a little over 40 days).

Whether you are superstitious or just want to incorporate some new traditions in your home or honor your heritage, ask your elders if they have any traditions you would like to try or do some research. Take it easy at home with your little one, partner, and loved ones and have fun trying some of these good luck rituals. Best of luck to you!