Babies in West Africa go everywhere in a length of cloth wrapped around mama’s midsection and tucked in. The cloths are never tied, just wrapped and tucked. If it starts to come loose, mama will feel it. She will bend over so the baby doesn’t fall, rewrap, retuck and go.
No stroller, no fancy equipment, just a piece of cloth is all that’s needed and off they go. You also won’t see any West African mothers carrying diaper bags. That one I can’t explain to you.
What I always marvelled at is how unintrusive the babies are.
You don’t hear them screaming or kicking up a ruckus very often. In the U.S., crying and fussing children are not so unusual in public.
Considering what they lack in nutrition and health care here, it’s even more remarkable.
I pondered whether it was at least partly due to the fact that, strapped on their mama’s back, they’re exposed to a lot of direct sun.
That tends to make one hot and sleepy.
And if you’re sleepy, you’re going to be nice and quiet.
Ho hum, just another day of mom working and me tagging along.
I’m not much interested in babies, but even I think those little feet are pretty cute.
One day she’ll have a baby of her own. Until then, the bear will do.