My Beautiful Black Ancestry
  • News
    • World
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Entertainment News
    • Celebrity News
  • Talents & Achievements
  • Health & Wellness
  • Beauty & Fashion
  • History & Culture
  • Travels & Tours
  • See More
    • Relationships
      • Breakup Alert
      • Love Confessions
      • Love Tales
      • Life & Love
    • Diary of an Angry and searching Nigerian Girl
    • Kids Corner
    • Global Black Celebration
    • Trending
    • Grooming
    • Hair
  • Contact Us

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Be the first to get breaking news, historical events, culture, fashion, politics, business, entertainment, celebrity, and healthcare updates from beautiful Africans across the globe straight to your inbox

What's Hot

Christian Mum, Izzy Montague sues UK school for making son participate in LGBT parade 

February 4, 2023

Leliman, a Former Kenyan policeman sentenced to death for murder of 3 People  

February 4, 2023

South Africans in bad condition as Lack of Electricity and Water skyrockets 

February 3, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram WhatsApp
Trending
  • Christian Mum, Izzy Montague sues UK school for making son participate in LGBT parade 
  • Leliman, a Former Kenyan policeman sentenced to death for murder of 3 People  
  • South Africans in bad condition as Lack of Electricity and Water skyrockets 
  • Seychelles ranked Africa’s least corrupt country 
  • Meet Nicole Lynn the First Black Woman Agent To Represent Player In Super Bowl 
  • 67-Year-Old Black Woman Renee Carroll Makes History, Earns High School Diploma 
  • Six teachers arrested in Kenya for forcing students to simulate sex 
  • 4 Suspects Charged With Killing Haitian President Jovenel Moïse 
Facebook Twitter Instagram WhatsApp
My Beautiful Black AncestryMy Beautiful Black Ancestry
  • News
    1. World
    2. Politics
    3. Business
    4. Sports
    5. Entertainment News
    6. Celebrity News
    7. View All

    A coup attempt in Sao Tome and Principe has failed 

    November 25, 2022

    Senegal beats World Cup host Qatar, 3-1 

    November 25, 2022

    Statue of German colonizer pulled down in Windhoek, Namibia 

    November 25, 2022

    Sex workers in Ghana increase charges over current economic hardship 

    November 24, 2022

    4 Suspects Charged With Killing Haitian President Jovenel Moïse 

    February 3, 2023

    Former President Trump pleads with Meta to restore his Facebook account 

    January 19, 2023

    Obiang, Son Of Equatorial Guinea President, Arrested For Alleged Corruption 

    January 17, 2023

    Lori Lightfoot, a Chicago Mayor, Under Investigation For Encouraging Children To Volunteer For Reelection Campaign 

    January 15, 2023

    John legend launches Affordable Personal Care Brand for Melanin Rich Skin 

    January 17, 2023

    Meet The Women Who Created The Line Of Hygienic Hijabs For Muslims In Healthcare 

    January 17, 2023

    Virginia Couple Purchase Home With 90 Acres of Land to Build Generational Wealth For Their Kids 

    January 15, 2023

    Airbnb Places Ban On Slave Cabin Rentals 

    December 24, 2022

    Former NFL Player Jessie Lemonier Dies at age 25 

    January 28, 2023

    Olympic Star Usain Bolt defrauded of $12m life savings 

    January 20, 2023

    Man City’s Benjamin Mendy cleared of six rape charges 

    January 13, 2023

    Tennis Champ, Naomi Osaka pregnant with her first child 

    January 12, 2023

    Tv Show on Ethiopia’s Queen Sheba in the Works 

    January 28, 2023

    Keke Palmer Announces She Is Having a baby boy  

    January 27, 2023

    Girls Trip 2 to be Shot In Ghana 

    January 24, 2023

    Antoine Fuqua to Direct Michael Jackson Biopic, Set to Begin Shooting This Year 

    January 24, 2023

    Sha’Carri Richardson Removed From Flight Following Argument With ‘Disrespectful’ Attendant 

    January 24, 2023

    Beyoncé Performs Live For First Time Since 2018, Duets With Blue Ivy 

    January 22, 2023

    ‘He Wanted To Change For Me’: Cardi B Reveals Why She Called Off Divorce From Offset 

    January 20, 2023

    John legend launches Affordable Personal Care Brand for Melanin Rich Skin 

    January 17, 2023

    Christian Mum, Izzy Montague sues UK school for making son participate in LGBT parade 

    February 4, 2023

    Leliman, a Former Kenyan policeman sentenced to death for murder of 3 People  

    February 4, 2023

    South Africans in bad condition as Lack of Electricity and Water skyrockets 

    February 3, 2023

    Seychelles ranked Africa’s least corrupt country 

    February 3, 2023
  • Talents & Achievements

    Meet Nicole Lynn the First Black Woman Agent To Represent Player In Super Bowl 

    February 3, 2023

    Meagan Good becomes latest ambassador for Dark & Lovely 

    January 30, 2023

    Nicholas Buamah, an 11-Year-Old Boy Creates a Sitcom About Smart Kids of Color 

    January 28, 2023

    40-Year-Old South African Woman Sthembile, Graduates From Same College Where She Cleaned For 14 Years 

    January 24, 2023

    John legend launches Affordable Personal Care Brand for Melanin Rich Skin 

    January 17, 2023
  • Health & Wellness

    John legend launches Affordable Personal Care Brand for Melanin Rich Skin 

    January 17, 2023

    Meet The Women Who Created The Line Of Hygienic Hijabs For Muslims In Healthcare 

    January 17, 2023

    New Study Shows How Black Women Experience Depression Differently 

    January 15, 2023

    Uganda receives first batch of Trial Vaccines For Ebola 

    December 9, 2022

    Black Woman, Jenny Mitchell Sues L’Oréal and Others, Alleges Hair-Straightening Products Caused Her Uterine Cancer 

    October 31, 2022
  • Beauty & Fashion

    10 Afro-Caribbean Beauty Influencers you should follow 

    July 18, 2022

    10 Black Beauty Influencers you should follow 

    July 12, 2022

    10 African Beauty Influencers You Should Follow  

    July 5, 2022

    10 South African Beauty Influencers You Should Follow 

    June 22, 2022

    Rihanna Honoured With A Digital Statue At Met Gala

    May 4, 2022
  • History & Culture

    The State Of California, is named after a Mythical Black Queen, Calafia 

    January 20, 2023

    The Story Of Hatshepsut, The Female Pharaoh Who Ruled Egypt as a Man 

    January 20, 2023

    The Story of Kalulu Ndugu M’hali, the Enslaved boy who has the Congo River Falls Named After Him 

    December 3, 2022

    60 Cute African girl names and their meanings  

    November 29, 2022

    60 Popular African boy names and their meanings  

    November 29, 2022
  • Travels & Tours

    10 Best Places To Visit In Ghana 

    January 30, 2023

    Thousands Of Zulu Men Re-enact Historic Zulu Victory at Isandlwana 

    January 22, 2023

    3,500 years old Royal Luxor Tomb unveiled in Egypt 

    January 17, 2023

    LA Man, Dakrabo Set To Build $350million Film Studio In Ghana, Promises To Bring Hollywood To Ghana 

    January 17, 2023

    Top 10 most powerful African Passports

    January 13, 2023
  • See More
    1. Relationships
    2. Breakup Alert
    3. Love Confessions
    4. Love Tales
    5. Life & Love
    6. Diary of an Angry and searching Nigerian Girl
    7. Kids Corner
    8. Global Black Celebration
    9. Trending
    10. Grooming
    11. Hair
    12. View All

    Christian Mum, Izzy Montague sues UK school for making son participate in LGBT parade 

    February 4, 2023

    Leliman, a Former Kenyan policeman sentenced to death for murder of 3 People  

    February 4, 2023

    South Africans in bad condition as Lack of Electricity and Water skyrockets 

    February 3, 2023

    Seychelles ranked Africa’s least corrupt country 

    February 3, 2023

    Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner Reportedly Breakup Two Years After Rekindling Relationship 

    January 8, 2023

    Relationship Coach Derrick Jackson Announces Divorce From His Wife, After Getting Caught With Another Woman 

    December 10, 2022

    After 14 Years of Marriage, Tia Mowry Files For Divorce From Cory Hardrict 

    October 4, 2022

    Crystal Renay Accuses Husband, Ne-Yo Of Cheating Weeks After Renewing Their Vows

    August 1, 2022

    Popular Polygamist Kevin Wesley, Narrates How He Successfully Manages His “Queens”

    April 16, 2021

    Singer Mya Actually Got Married To Herself, She Has Been A Sologamist For 7 Years (Update)

    February 25, 2021

    August Alsina Says Will Smith Allowed Him Have An Affair With His Wife, Jada Pinkett

    July 1, 2020

    I Fell Inlove With A Single Married Man 16

    June 5, 2020

    Ray J And Princess Love Have Called Off Their Divorce For A Second Time

    March 19, 2021

    Following Their Reconciliation, Ne-Yo & Wife Crystal Smith Share The First Sonogram Video Of Their New Baby

    March 5, 2021

    Tennessee Black Couple, Tommy And Harriet, Celebrate 70 Years of Marriage

    October 13, 2020

    RekindledLove? Princess Love Files To Dismiss Divorce From Ray J

    July 14, 2020

    African Couple Celebrates their Journey of Marriage, 53rd wedding anniversary with heart warming photos

    August 28, 2021

    Meet Tonya McCray and Racquel McCray , the Mom and Daughter Who Are Working Together on the Same U.S. Navy Ship

    August 19, 2021

    Popular Polygamist Kevin Wesley, Narrates How He Successfully Manages His “Queens”

    April 16, 2021

    NORTH CAROLINA BEAUTIFUL WEDDING STORY: ROSCO AND MATTHEW MCKNIGHT’S INTIMATE WEDDING

    January 16, 2021

    I Fell Inlove With A Single Married Man 17

    December 21, 2020

    I Fell Inlove With A Single Married Man 16

    June 5, 2020

    I Fell In Love With A Single Married Man 15

    January 6, 2020

    I Fell In Love With A Single Married Man 14

    December 23, 2019

    Nicholas Buamah, an 11-Year-Old Boy Creates a Sitcom About Smart Kids of Color 

    January 28, 2023

    60 Cute African girl names and their meanings  

    November 29, 2022

    60 Popular African boy names and their meanings  

    November 29, 2022

    Romello, a Black Teen Buys New Shoes For his Classmate After He Was Bullied 

    November 14, 2022

    Milestones In History Uses Superheroes To Entertain And Educate Fans About Black History

    June 21, 2022

    Black Teen, Valaysia Smith Makes History As First Delegate To The Congress Of Future Medical Leaders

    May 26, 2022

    A record-breaking Ernie Barnes painting steals the show at Christie’s $831 million evening sales.

    May 16, 2022

    Meet Jarrett Bell, The First Black Sports Journalist To Win The Bill Nunn Jr. Writers Award

    May 15, 2022

    Brittney Griner To Work 16-Hours per day in  Mordovia Russia Prison 

    November 29, 2022

    Ye Allegedly Showed Ex-Staff Pornography And Explicit Kim Kardashian Videos 

    November 24, 2022

    Breaking: Migos Rapper Takeoff Reportedly shot dead over dice game in Houston, Texas 

    November 1, 2022

    Kansas City Pastor Carlton Funderburke, Apologizes For Calling out His ‘Broke’ Congregation For Not Buying Him a Luxury Wristwatch

    August 21, 2022

    50+ Inspirational Success Quotes by Black Men 

    July 13, 2022

    50+ Confidence and Self Love Quotes by Black Women 

    July 1, 2022

    Check Out These Beautiful African Braids Inspiration

    October 9, 2020

    Great Fashion Tips For Plus Size Black Women

    October 6, 2020

    Black Woman, Jenny Mitchell Sues L’Oréal and Others, Alleges Hair-Straightening Products Caused Her Uterine Cancer 

    October 31, 2022

    How Hair Straightening Chemicals May Increase Black Women’s Risk Of Uterine Cancer 

    October 23, 2022

    Akon Pays $7.5K for Hair Transplant In Turkey To Get New Hairline 

    October 20, 2022

    10 natural hair influencers you should follow  

    July 19, 2022

    Christian Mum, Izzy Montague sues UK school for making son participate in LGBT parade 

    February 4, 2023

    Leliman, a Former Kenyan policeman sentenced to death for murder of 3 People  

    February 4, 2023

    South Africans in bad condition as Lack of Electricity and Water skyrockets 

    February 3, 2023

    Seychelles ranked Africa’s least corrupt country 

    February 3, 2023
  • Contact Us
My Beautiful Black Ancestry
Home»Health and Wellness»Why African Babies Don’t Cry.
Health and Wellness

Why African Babies Don’t Cry.

By Precious ObadaraAugust 20, 2018No Comments16 Views
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Why African Babies Don’t Cry:
An African Perspective

by Claire Niala

I was born and grew up in Kenya & Cote d’Ivoire. Then from the age of fifteen, I lived in the UK. However, I always knew that I wanted to raise my children (whenever I had them) at home in Kenya. And yes, I assumed I was going to have them. I am a modern African woman with two university degrees and I am a fourth generation working woman – but when it comes to children, I am typically African. The assumption remains that you are not complete without them; children are a blessing it would be crazy to avoid. Actually, the question does not even arise.

I started my pregnancy in the UK. The urge to deliver at home was so strong that I sold my practice, set up a new business and moved house/country within five months of finding out I was pregnant. I did what most expectant mothers in the UK so – I read voraciously: Our Babies, Ourselves, Unconditional Parenting, anything by the Searses – the list goes on. (My grandmother later commented that babies don’t read books – and really all I needed to do was “read” my baby). Everything I read said that African babies cried less than European babies. I was intrigued as to why.

When I went home I observed. I looked out for mothers and babies and they were everywhere (though not very young African ones – those under six weeks were mainly at home). The first thing I noticed is that despite their ubiquitousness it is actually quite difficult to actually “see” a Kenyan baby. They are usually incredibly well wrapped up before being carried or strapped onto their mother (sometimes father).

Even older babies already strapped onto a back are then further protected from the elements by a large blanket. You would be lucky to catch a limb, never mind an eye or nose. It is almost a womb-like replication in the wrapping. The babies are literally cocooned from the stresses of the outside world into which they are entering.

All I needed to do

was “read” my baby

.

My second observation was a cultural one. In the UK it was understood that babies cry – in Kenya it was quite the opposite. The understanding is that babies don’t cry. If they do – something is horribly wrong and must be done to rectify it immediately. My English sister-in-law summarized it well. “People here,” she said, “really don’t like babies crying, do they?”

For my grandmother

it was simple –

nyonyo

It all made much more sense when I finally delivered and my grandmother came from the village to visit. As it happened – my baby did cry a fair amount, and exasperated and tired, I forgot everything I had ever read and sometimes joined in the crying too. Yet for my grandmother, it was simple – nyonyo (breastfeed her!). It was her answer to every single peep.

There were times when it was a wet nappy or the fact that I had put her down, or that she needed burping that was the problem, but mainly she just wanted to be at the breast – it didn’t really matter whether she was feeding or just having a comforting moment. I was already wearing her most of the time and co-sleeping with her, so this was a natural extension to what we were doing.

I suddenly learned the not-so-difficult secret as to the joyful silence of African babies. It was a simple needs-met symbiosis that required a total suspension of ideas of “what should be happening” and an embracing of what was actually going on in that moment. The bottom line was that my baby fed a lot – far more than I had ever read about anywhere and at least five times as much as some of the stricter feeding schedules I had heard about.

At about four months, when a lot of urban mothers start to introduce solids as previous guidelines had recommended, my daughter returned to newborn style hourly breastfeeding. She needed hourly feeds and this was a total shock. Over the past four months, the time between feeds had slowly started to increase. I had even started to treat the odd patient without my breasts leaking or my daughter’s nanny interrupting the session to let me know my daughter needed a feed.

Most of the mothers in my mother and baby group had duly started to introduce baby rice (to stretch the feeds) and all the professionals involved in our children’s lives – pediatricians, even doulas, said that this was OK. Mothers needed rest too, we had done amazingly to get to four months of exclusive breastfeeding, and they said our babies would be fine. Something didn’t ring true for me and even when I tried (half-heartedly) to mix some pawpaw (the traditional weaning food in Kenya) with expressed milk and offered it to my daughter – she was having none of it.

So I called my grandmother. She laughed and asked if I had been reading books again. She carefully explained how breastfeeding was anything but linear. “She’ll tell you when she’s ready for food – and her body will too.” “What will I do until then?” I was eager to know. “You do what you did before, regular

nyonyo

“. So my life slowed down to what felt like a standstill again. While many of my contemporaries marveled at how their children were sleeping longer now that they had introduced the baby rice, and were even venturing to other foods, I was waking hourly or every two hours with my daughter and telling patients that the return to work wasn’t panning out quite as I had planned.

She’ll tell you when

she’s ready for food.

I soon found that quite unwittingly I was turning into an informal support service for other urban mothers. My phone number was doing the round and many times while I was feeding my baby I would hear myself uttering the words, “Yes, just keep feeding him/ her.” “Yes, even if you have just fed them” “Yes, you might not even manage to get out of your pajamas today” “Yes, you still need to eat and drink like a horse” “No, now might not be the time to consider going back to work if you can afford not to”. “It will get easier”. I had to just trust this last one as it hadn’t gotten easier for me – yet.

A week or so before my daughter turned five months we traveled to the UK for a wedding and for her to meet family and friends. Especially because I had very few other demands, I kept up her feeding schedule easily. Despite the disconcerted looks of many strangers as I fed my daughter in many varied public places (most designated breastfeeding rooms were in restrooms which I just could not bring myself to use), we carried on.

At the wedding, the people whose table we sat at noted, “She is such an easy baby – though she does feed a lot”. I kept my silence, then another lady commented, “Though I did read somewhere that African babies don’t cry much.” I could not help but laugh.

My grandmother’s gentle wisdom:

  1. Offer the breast every single moment that your baby is upset – even if you have just fed her.

  2. Co-sleep. Many times you can feed your baby before they are fully awake, which will allow them to go back to sleep easier and get you more rest.

  3. Always take a flask of warm water to the bed with you at night to keep you hydrated and the milk flowing.

  4. Make the feeding your priority (especially during growth spurts) and get everyone else around you to do as much as they can for you. There is very little that cannot wait.

  5. Read your baby, not the books. Breastfeeding is not linear – it goes up and down (and also in circles). You are the expert on your baby’s needs.

J. Claire K. Niala is a mother, osteopath & writer based in Nairobi, Kenya.

 

african babies african culture babies. african american babies motherhood
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email
Precious Obadara

Related Posts

The State Of California, is named after a Mythical Black Queen, Calafia 

January 20, 2023

The Story Of Hatshepsut, The Female Pharaoh Who Ruled Egypt as a Man 

January 20, 2023

John legend launches Affordable Personal Care Brand for Melanin Rich Skin 

January 17, 2023

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top Posts

Ortencia Alcantara And Her Involvement In The Death Of Kevin Samuels

May 7, 202230,972

Relationship Coach Derrick Jackson Announces Divorce From His Wife, After Getting Caught With Another Woman 

December 10, 202215,821

24 year old Ugandan Woman, Monica Karungi ‘Mona Kizz’, Jumps To Her Death From Dubai Skyscraper

May 3, 202211,381

Sandra Regina, Pele’s Secret Daughter Named In His Will, Despite Denying Her All Her Life 

January 18, 20239,320
Don't Miss
News

Christian Mum, Izzy Montague sues UK school for making son participate in LGBT parade 

By AdaugoFebruary 4, 20230

But Izzy Montague was uncomfortable with the Pride event and said her four-year-old son would not be taking part.

Leliman, a Former Kenyan policeman sentenced to death for murder of 3 People  

February 4, 2023

South Africans in bad condition as Lack of Electricity and Water skyrockets 

February 3, 2023

Seychelles ranked Africa’s least corrupt country 

February 3, 2023
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • WhatsApp

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Be the first to get breaking news, historical events, culture, fashion, politics, business, entertainment, celebrity, and healthcare updates from beautiful Africans across the globe straight to your inbox

About Us
About Us

MBBA Global is Africa's no.1 platform for breaking news, historical events, culture, fashion, politics, business, entertainment, celebrity, and healthcare updates from beautiful Africans across the globe.

Facebook Twitter YouTube WhatsApp
Editor's Picks

Christian Mum, Izzy Montague sues UK school for making son participate in LGBT parade 

February 4, 2023

Leliman, a Former Kenyan policeman sentenced to death for murder of 3 People  

February 4, 2023

South Africans in bad condition as Lack of Electricity and Water skyrockets 

February 3, 2023
Latest Events

Four African American Celebrities That Recently Became Citizens Of African Countries

January 6, 20201,427

American Actress, Lisa Raye Crowned “Queen Mother Of Ghana” by “king” Yahweh

November 5, 2019123

The African Wedding That Has Left Many Jaws Dropping

May 30, 201866

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.