Hi everyone,

Thank you everyone for your input. In a couple of days researching I did
not find anything that you all did not mention... the New Testament gives
just a few words of information (Joseph and Mary travelling to Bethlehem
because of a census (only Luke says this, not Matthew), Mary´s time for
birth arriving, no room at the inn, she gives birth, wraps the baby and
puts him a manger. That´s about it... Then there is the visit from the Magi
(told by Matthew), and the visit of the shepherds (told by Luke).

Historicaly, there would probably have been a midwife with the young
mother, there were logically many women experienced in this art and they
helped other women as well as having another job of their own. The houses
at that time and place probably would have been small, with a dark first
floor where the animals (probably goats or sheep) were kept, and a second
story for the sleeping quarters. Cooking was probably done outdoors in a
patio-like space.
Birth was considered to start when the woman felt the need to start walking
around to alleviate contractions. The father (and perhaps other men) would
have been nearby but outside, reciting certain psalms. After the birth, the
newborn would be sprinkled with fine salt and washed, and then swaddled.
Nowhere have I found references to initial breastfeeding, but I want to
assume it naturaly happened early... before the salt and washing and
swaddling... but I don´t know.

Anyway, I wrote the small essay, if it gets published I will send you the
link and the translation, if it doesn´t get published I will send you the
translation :)

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and warm hugs to everyone.
Kika



-- 
Dra. Carmela Baeza
Médico de Familia, IBCLC
www.centroraices.com
http://www.facebook.com/Consulta.Lactancia.Raices
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centro-de-Atenci%C3%B3n-a-la-Familia-Ra%C3%ADces/274415189309122>


Autora de "Amar con los Brazos Abiertos"
http://www.ediciones-encuentro.es/libro/amar-con-los-brazos-abiertos.html

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