Old Wives Tales for New Mothers

This is a collection of wisdom, rumors, folklore, and some very odd customs from around the world. In these pages you’ll discover how to choose the best day for conceiving and how to determine a baby’s sex, either before or after conception! Essential information for protecting a newborn from mischievous fairies lies within…as well as documentation on why having a sharp axe under your bed during labor might be a very good idea!
A lot of the sayings in here will be familiar, although you’re sure to be surprised how old and common many of them are. Some practices seem too bizarre to be true and just imagining that people actually followed them might make you squirm.
The little nuggets featured in this collection have been assembled from wide-ranging sources: from ancient Assyrian texts to relatively recent folk tales from America’s Appalachia. You can tell they’re recent when they mention Drano. But did you know that the custom of throwing rice at a wedding has its origins in ancient Rome to enhance fertility?
To be sure, some of these tales and legends are good, common sense; some could definitely be hazardous to your health. But all were practiced at one time or another somewhere in the world. Keep in mind that these rituals have been compiled for entertainment only. Please take what you read here with a grain of salt… But if you want your baby to be born with good sense, be sure to sprinkle that salt on your head.