Global Traditions
In Japan, parents celebrate a baby’s 100th day with what ritual?
Okuizome (a symbolic “first meal” ceremony)
What’s the average age that a baby can recognize their own name?
Around 6 months
In Italy, what pepper-shaped charm is used to bless newborns?
Cornicello (little horn charm)
In The Godfather, how is the newborn used symbolically in the baptism scene?
Intercut with murders, symbolizing the family’s power
In which country do babies nap outside in freezing temperatures as a health practice?
Finland
In Ghana, babies receive what during naming ceremonies?
A stool (named after the Akan tradition of stool-giving)
On average, how many diapers will a baby use in a year?
2,500
In Turkey, what talisman is hung over cradles to protect from the evil eye?
Nazar Boncugu (blue eye bead)
In Game of Thrones, what name do the Dothraki call Khal Drogo and Daenerys' baby?
Rhaego
In which African country are twins considered a blessing and are often celebrated with a special naming ceremony called “Ibeji”?
Nigeria (specifically the Yoruba people)
In India, babies are traditionally passed over a doormat made of what for good luck?
Cow dung and rice rangoli
What is a “Fontanelle”?
The soft spot on a baby’s head
In Russia, what do grandparents traditionally give for a baby’s first tooth?
A silver rattle
Who played the baby in the classic sitcom Full House?
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Which culture buries the placenta under a tree to symbolize life and connection to the earth?
Māori of New Zealand
Which culture places a chili and salt at a baby’s doorway to ward off evil spirits?
Mexico (and parts of Latin America)
Babies triple their birth weight by what age (in months)?
12 months
In China, what food is given to babies at one month old for long life?
Red eggs (dyed for happiness and fertility)
What is significant about “Baby Groot” in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2?
He regenerates from a twig cutting
How many taste buds does a baby have (rough estimate)?
About 10,000
In Denmark, babies are weighed in for the first time on a special scale called what?
Navnefest scale (name-giving party scale)
What color were nearly all babies born before the invention of electric lighting?
Bronze-ish / slightly orange (due to natural light)
In some parts of Central America, new babies are pepper-sprinkled. What spice is it?
Anis (to ensure peaceful sleep and ward off the ruda plant witch)
In Harry Potter, what magical thing was baby Harry protected by when Voldemort attacked?
His mother’s sacrificial protection (love magic)
What is the only part of the human body that doesn’t grow after birth?
The eyes