Table 2 Cultural practices

Natural Remedies

Sulemani Chaye - Tea made from boiled clove and cardamom.

Child is fed this until the milk comes in to clear the stomach.

Satti - Strained water in which various things (from seeds to herbs and in one case cheese) have soaked. Many of the participants were unable to identify the specific ingredients that were soaked in the water. One mother indicated it was mixed with milk. Two to three drops are given to the baby once a day some mothers give it in the morning, others at night. One mother indicated it was given to the child after 40 days.

Helps the child grow up, cleans out the baby's stomach, 'normalizes' stool, prevents cramping, helps digestion, minimizes jaundice, promotes relaxation and prevent acne.

Phenargan - a syrup fed to the baby, each night at bedtime. One mother indicated this was only given to the babies after 40 days.

Helps with allergies, stomach aches and relaxation.

Gripe water (Nonihal) - One mother indicated it was warmed. One father indicated the ingredients were: alcohol bicarbonate, ginger, dill, fennel and chamomile mixed with water.

Treats or prevents stomach cramps, increases peristalsis, and makes the digestive tract work ‘appropriately’.

Suji - Granulated wheat cooked in cow's milk. One mother indicated it was given after 40 days.

Helps the child to grow up healthy.

Arq (sap) fed to the child.

Treats stomach aches, diarrhea and cramps.

Chumber Kathi - fed to the child with warm water.

Relieves stomach aches.

Salt water.

A cheap treatment for stomach ache.

Sugar water.

A cheap treatment for constipation and diarrhea.

Warm water is put on the child.

Helps a child urinate.

Awjwain - a type of seed that is given to the mother if the child has a stomachache.

Treats stomach aches.

Ear Drops - A few drops of warmed mustard or garlic oil (soaked with carmon seeds in one instance) are put in the ear.

Treats ear aches.

Pan Ash - Black ash is mixed with salt and mothers milk then fed to the baby.

Treats stomach aches.

Milk Drops - Breast milk is dropped into the eyes or nose.

Treats general infection.

Sero (Surma)

Black powder is applied to the eyebrows.

Promotes the growth of thick dark eyebrows.

Black powder is applied in the eyes (similarly to eyeliner application).

Prevents a child's eyes from becoming weak, it keeps them clean and makes the eyes big and dark in colour.

Black powder is applied to the umbilicus after it sheds off.

Helps to close the hole, ensures air does not enter the body and makes the umbilicus ‘go in’ sooner.

Licking as a Diagnostic Tool

The back of a baby's hand or stomach is licked.

If the skin tastes salty then the child has a stomach ache.

Wrapping the Child's Head

The child's head is oiled then wrapped and placed on a pillow (sometimes made of ash). One mother indicated that this was done for the first 40 days.

This technique is used to ensure the child's head is properly formed.

Wrapping the Child's Body

Babies are wrapped when they sleep.

Some mothers indicated this was done to prevent startling while sleeping. Others indicated that the practice ensured that the body was formed properly.

Baby Massage

Babies are massaged each morning usually with mustard oil (or coconut or olive oils).

This keeps the baby healthy and in one case 'removes the laziness' from the child so he/she will sleep calmly.

Umbilicus Treatment

Mustard oil is mixed with salt or tumeric or both and applied to the umbilical cord for a few days until it falls off.

Helps the umbilicus dry out, shed, and 'normalize'.

Parrainrr (dum)

Parrainrr - the cultural practice of a healer.

Babies are taken to a healer to stop crying, treat seizures and protect the child against ghosts.

Twin Fingers (Jarrion Ungrrion)

A cultural practice performed by a healer.

Treats stomach aches.

Knife to Protect the Baby

A knife (or some form of iron) is kept near the baby at all times.

Protects the young baby from ghosts.

Sunlight Exposure

Children are kept outside in the cold morning sun for between 5-15 minutes (although one mother indicated 3-4 hours). In some cases the babies are taken into the sun after their morning massage when they have oil on their skin.

The exposure to sunlight promotes health and treats jaundice.