Will and I had a language class this past trimester and we were the only two people in it. We just treated it like a 2 hour tutoring class every day and we ended up really enjoying it. Our teacher allowed us to direct the class and talk about what we wanted to which ended up helping us out tremendously. I had asked her if she could teach us vocabulary for baby items and some different verbs associated with having a baby. This is a whole new world we're entering in to! So one day she brought in a full list of necessary baby items according to Costa Rica. The words are so different and some of the items are so funny to me that I had to share...
First of all, every mother has one big baby shower called a "te de canasta". The picture below is an example of how huge this event is. It's a catered event in a banquet hall, can easily last all day, everyone is invited (men and women) and it costs a whole lot!
First of all, every mother has one big baby shower called a "te de canasta". The picture below is an example of how huge this event is. It's a catered event in a banquet hall, can easily last all day, everyone is invited (men and women) and it costs a whole lot!
Baby items here are very expensive too and there are no second-hand stores to buy used baby items. For example, the cheapest baby blanket I've seen is $20 and we saw a cheaply-made bouncy seat for $120. There is a Carter's store here in the mall and a typical sundress is around $30 (in the States you can buy those at Costco for around $6!). We're really having to think through everything we're purchasing for baby Ally...which is a good thing.
Okay, on to the list...a few things really stuck out to me!
NOUNS
- los panales de tela o desechables - cloth or disposable diapers
- el cochecito de bebe - stroller
- la silla para el carro - car seat
- las camisetas enterizas con broches - onesies
- el cepillo/ el peine - brush/comb
- la cuna - crib
- EL TOLDO - MOSQUITO NETTING
- la almohadita - little pillow
- las medias / los zapatitos - socks & shoes (every baby MUST have a complete outfit on at all times. And all germs come through the feet so baby MUST wear socks at all times or baby will die)
- los guantes - gloves
- EL FAJERO - BELLY BUTTON BELT (baby must wear this for the first month to prevent having an outie belly button...that's very ugly. You put a button in their belly button and strap this belt around their waist)
- el aceite - baby oil
- LA COLONIA - BABY COLOGNE (the brand "Mennen" is the best)
- la chupeta - pacifier
- el movil - mobile
- el monitor - monitor
- el termometro - thermometer
- el aspirador nasal - nose sucker thingy
- las vacunas - vaccines
- el encierro - pack n play
- el portabebe - baby carrier
- los colados - baby food
- las compotas - puree baby food
- EL MOISES - MOSES BASKET
- el goltero - medicine dropper
- las toallitas humedas - baby wipes
- la crema para cuerpo y las nalguitas - diaper rash cream
- las pijamas - pajamas
- los gorritos - hat (newborns MUST have hats on or baby will die)
- los escarpines - baby booties
- el jabon - soap
- la tina - baby bathtub
- las sabanas - sheets
- las cobijas - blankets
- las protectores de la cuna - crib bumper
- los panitos - washclothes
- los baberos - bibs
- el ahulado - changing pad
- el talco - baby powder
- el cortaunas - nail clippers
- los aplicadores - qtips
- el chilindrin - rattle
- la silla para comer - high chair
- el sacadientes - teething ring
- la formula - formula
- las gacillas - safety pin
- los juguetes - toys
- el bolso del bebe - diaper bag
- el chupon - bottle
- las vinchas - baby bows
- tiraleche - breast pump
VERBS
- sacarle el colico - to burp
- amamantar - to nurse
- alzarlo o chinearlo - to hold or rock
- ASOLEARLO - TO SUN (sun before 9am the first year)
- curarle el ombligo - to care for the belly button
- arrullarlo - to sing lullabies
- cambiarlo - to change
- estimularlo - to stimulate/exercise
- gatear - to crawl
- balbucear - to babble
- salirle los dientes de leche - teething
- dar los primeros pasos - to start to walk
The last thing I had to mention are a few customs:
One is that the baby should always be warm. Remember, it hardly ever gets below 70 degrees here, but during the windy and rainy months babies have on fleece footed pajamas, hats, gloves, sweaters, scarves and blankets. The babies look so hot to me!
Another is that baby girls get their ears pierced in the hospital when they are 1 day old. This is how people can tell if your baby is a boy or girl...period. We haven't decided if we're going to pierce Ally's ears or not.
Everyone seems to find out the gender of their baby. There are very few gender-neutral items in stores around here. This is a very common question....not IF I know what I'm having, but what is it.
Lastly, the baby and mommy do not leave the house for 40 days after childbirth. I have heard it's because the baby will get sick (of course) and that the mom just is NOT presentable...which is probably true. Appearance is huge here. You will never see a woman wearing tennis shoes and a tshirt out unless she is exercising and you must bath every day. So, if a woman isn't bathing daily and can't put her high heels on, she doesn't leave the house. After 40 days she is expected to step out into society as a new woman...and look the part as well. I think I will go crazy if I can't leave my house for 40 days, but we'll see.
The belly button belt is hilarious!! I miss CR.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a real adventure! Some of this sounds good & some funny!!! Can't wait to meet Ally!
ReplyDeleteElaine,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your interesting blog about your adventures in Costa Rica. After reading your recent post, I recalled a similar experience encountered when I delivered our daughter while living in Costa Rica.
Like you, I was having a girl, but unsure whether or not I was going to follow the hispanic custom or tradition having her ears pierced at one day old. In this culture, there is a fundamental, underlying expection why all little girls have their ears pierced at birth. Interestingly, the rationale goes much further than simply identifying the baby as either a boy or girl. My best GF apprised me of the underlying reasons why baby girls have their ears pierced at one day old before they leave the hospital.
In the Hispanic culture, males dominate the society for the most part. Piercing the ears of newborn baby girls with earrings signifies they are loved by their family regardless of being a girl. Often red stone earrings are chosen as the desired color to impart the sign of "love" for the newborn baby girl or infant. Alternately, little pearl earrings are deemed equally acceptable. The chosen earrings come from godparents or close friends who are "loving family members." They are brought to the hospital when the mother comes in for delivery. After the baby girls are born, their ears are pierced and earrings gently placed in their lobes. The lobes are very soft and thin, so it is atraumatic. The piercing is often done while babies are asleep to minimize any movement or discomfort.
After learning about the origins of piercing little girls, we elected to have them pierced in the nursery and share in the local tradition with some little pearls provided by some close friends. According to the nurses, Sandi didn't cry (photo on request).
Elaine, I know this is a personal decision, but if you decide to have Ally's ears pierced, then everyone will not only she is a baby girl, but deeply loved by her parents and family. I hope this provides some insight beyond simple gender identification for baby girls and underlying rationale behind this hispanic custom. Hopefully, this will allow you to make an informed decision for your daughter. Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy.
Angie
Angietune@hotmail.com
40 days...yep, I would just be leaving the house! I'll come visit!
ReplyDeleteAfter talking to some Costa Ricans, they say that this mindset seems to be a bit old-fashioned. These days all I've seen are gold stud earrings and everyone has told me it's because it's what they do...it's cultural...and they just really like it.
ReplyDeleteElaine,
ReplyDeleteBeyond Costa Rica in most of Mexico, Central and South America, baby girls leave the hospital withtheir ears pierced or they get them pierced soon after they’re born.
Admittedly, this now becomes part of their culture, "...because its what they do" as you said. Nonetheless, this then becomes part of their culture and tradition.
OTOH, the deeply rooted origins of cultural practices are often lost between generations to the exact rationale behind traditions. These are often replaced by common practices which most "really like" for their baby girls and little girls.
Same follows as no one thinks there’s anything wrong when one of the gifts moms usually get are tiny gold stud earrings for their newborn baby girls. Gold studs are less expensive, so they are ubiquitous and readily available. Hence, baby girls have their ears pierced at birth and come home with earrings :)
Angie