We again attended our childbirthing class last evening. This week, we learned how to swaddle a baby, use a bulb syringe to clean out a baby’s mouth and nose, and change a diaper. When they were showing us how to swaddle a baby (which is basically a way of wrapping the baby tightly in a blanket to make them feel like they are back in the womb), it reminded me of baby Jesus who was wrapped in swaddling clothes.

There was extensive discussion on breastfeeding, which is recommended, and also on bottle feeding. How often, the proper technique, how much, when to burp. Then we moved on to the dirty diaper issue. How many should the baby have each day? What does it look like? What the signs they are not getting enough to eat?

I realized the need for these classes. But I also realized that if our society were not so transient, we wouldn’t need them. “Way back when” families lived closer together and mothers taught daughters everything they needed to know. Grandmothers were right there to impart the knowledge that had been handed down from their mothers. The right way to warm up a bottle for a baby or the proper way to give a baby a bath.

My grandmother and mother on my wedding day. They have so much wisdom to share.