Medieval Babies?

[shanmonster]

I figure there are a few historians, SCA folk, and childcare experts here, so I'd post this question in case anyone knows an answer.

What sorts of things were used to take care of babies in medieval times? I'm talking about the equivalent of soothers, baby bottles, onesies, strollers, diaper pins, etc. I'm imagining a lot more swaddling, and carrying babies in slings and such rather than pushing 'em around in baby buggies, especially for peasant families. I figure the rich families could afford fancier equipment.

Can you point me toward any good resources? I've looked around a bit online, but there is a LOT of unrelated chaff to wade through.

Edit: I'm not looking at just medieval Europe, practices/implements in other cultures, too. I'll consider everything from Pygmy to Romanian to Innu.

Comments

[zoe-serious.livejournal.com]

You may want to check out some anthropological accounts in Africa and SE Asia for stories of natural unassisted births. I remember reading a book called Nisa many years ago and she tells of how she just had her babies and kept working http://www.amazon.com/Nisa-Life-Words-Kung-Woman/dp/0674004329/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294706231&sr=8-1

I am not sure it will have much valuable info but at least it gives you a direction to move towards in terms of research.

Lastly one of my religious studies professors did a book on home birthing in N.America and there were a lot of references in her book to other cultural practices, her book is http://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Events-Religion-Birth-America/dp/0691087989/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294706332&sr=1-1 so you may want to find this book and look at her references.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Merci!