Baby birth traditions are some of the most interesting practices that reflect the beautiful and diverse cultures. Canada has a small but growing population of Brazilians, providing us with a beautiful and comprehensive look at their culture from food to celebrations.
Brazil is the country in Latin America that boasts the largest population. It is a culturally diverse and biodiverse nation that is home to Carnival and the Amazon rainforest. Through a history of colonization and more recent mass immigration, Brazil is now home to one of the world’s most diverse populations.
This blog will examine the baby birth traditions of Brazil.
So, what are the popular baby birth traditions in Brazil?
With its long history and diversity comes a wealth of traditions for one of the most memorable times for a family — the birth of a new baby. These traditions are not only cultural but also have been affected by trends in childbirth and medicine.
Giving Birth Through C-Section
This method of giving birth is more of a modern occurrence due to changes in medicinal trends in Brazil. C-sections are so common that the Brazilian government has had to promote the benefits of natural birth in recent years due to concerning trends.
In private hospitals, 82 percent of births are cesarean sections. In public hospitals, approximately 50% of births are cesarean sections.
There is nothing wrong with C-sections. But many people, doctors and researchers included, think that they are overused in Brazil. Like with any surgery, it comes with risks for complications and problems in future births.
Nevertheless, there are some cases where this procedure is unavoidable, and women should not be shamed for needing it or electing to do it.
Researchers have found the trend is less about preference and more about the influence that certain parts of Brazilian culture have on medicine. For example, some people believe that birth is primitive and inconvenient, so they find ways to speed it up.
This leads to doctors sometimes pressuring women to have c-sections for convenience rather than out of medical necessity. A movement of women attempting to take their autonomy in the maternity ward back is rising in Brazil.
Dressing the Baby in Red
This tradition speaks to Brazil’s strong religious culture. When parents have newborns, they often dress them in red clothing. This practice brings good luck to the child in their new life. Red also wards of evil spirits to protect the child in this new world they occupy.
Giving Gifts to Family and Friends
In most cultures, when a mother and newborn baby are visited in the hospital or at home, they are showered with gifts and, in some cases, money. However, the opposite happens in Brazil.
Mothers give little trinkets and candy in baskets to family and friends on behalf of the baby. It is a way of thanking them for their support and congratulations. These packages usually include a sweet note from the baby thanking them for coming.
It can be interesting to analyze long-held baby birth traditions. Still, it can also be helpful to research and analyze how birth and newborn lifestyles can be affected by trends in more recent history.
Brazil is one country where both of those things can be done. As with any country, the welcoming of a new baby is a beautiful miracle in Brazil.
REFERENCES
Pregnancy and Birth Traditions Around the World
Birth Customs Around the World
11 Unique Birthing Traditions Around The World
Why Most Brazilian Women Get C-Sections
Check out our Baby Birth Tradition blog series–Baby Birth Traditions – India
Written by:Gabrielle Goldson
November 11, 2023
FAQs
Mothers give little trinkets and candy in baskets to family and friends on behalf of the baby. It is a way of thanking them for their support and congratulations. These packages usually include a sweet note from the baby thanking them for coming.
What are the traditions when a baby is born? ›
To bring a newborn baby luck, Brits cross the baby's palm with silver (albeit briefly for safety). A silver coin is placed in the baby's hand and it is said that should the baby grasp the coin tight he or she will grow into a frugal adult. However, should the coin be dropped he or she will not be good with money.
What happens when you give birth in Brazil? ›
In Brazil, the commanding proof of nationality is the birth certificate instead of a passport. So, as long as your child has a Brazilian birth certificate attesting that the child was born inside of Brazil, you as the parent can apply for permanent residency.
Which model of childbirth do Brazilians practice? ›
In Brazil, childbirth practices are strongly marked by surgical events and particularly in the private sector cesarean sections reach rates above 80%.
What is Brazil's main traditions? ›
Brazil is home to Carnaval, a world-famous celebration, as well as neighborhood festivals, street parades, and a music scene unlike anywhere else in the world.
What is pregnancy like in Brazil? ›
Maternity care in Brazil is highly medicalized, and obstetric interventions in labour and birth are high, even among low-risk women [2], and the caesarean section rate is almost 60% [3]. This procedure is even higher in private hospitals, where nearly 90% of women gave birth by caesarean section [4].
What are the birth defects in Brazil? ›
The most prevalent major birth defects were Cleft Lip and/or Palate (9.5/10,000), gastroschisis (6.93/10,000), spina bifida (5.53/10,000), hydrocephalus (5.53/10,000), hypospadias (4.55/10,000), Down syndrome (4.23/10,000), anencephaly (2.93/10,000), anorectal atresia / stenosis (1.95/10,000), undetermined sex (1.95/ ...
Is Brazil a good country to give birth? ›
Brazil is one of the most generous countries when it comes to foreigners giving birth on their soil. Any baby born in Brazil is Brazilian, and as such, they have the rights of any citizen. This includes the right to have their immediate family live with them, regardless of where they come from.
Do Brazilians use birth control? ›
Currently, 2/3 of married women between the ages of 15 and 44 years use contraception in Brazil. Age is a factor: according to 1986 information, 5.5% of the women had undergone a sterilization operation before reaching the age of 25, and 19.5% had done so before reaching 30 years of age.
Who was the Brazilian actress who gave birth at 55? ›
A Brazilian actress got pregnant naturally at age 55 in a 1 in a million situation — and then gave birth to a healthy baby. The Brazilian TV star Cláudia Raia was 56 when she delivered a healthy baby boy, she said. An OB-GYN said the chances of a healthy delivery at that age were below one in a million.
Any person born in Brazil acquires Brazilian nationality at birth, with the sole exception of children of parents in the service of a foreign government, such as foreign diplomats.
What is the Hispanic tradition for babies? ›
La Cuarentena: In many Hispanic cultures, the postpartum period, known as "La Cuarentena," is a sacred time for new mothers. It involves a period of rest, typically 40 days, where the mother and baby are cared for by family members.
How is the arrival of a baby celebrated? ›
Enjoy a baby shower
Typically, a group of close friends and family get together and it may be held at your home or theirs, or some other venue such as a restaurant. Or you may opt for an online baby shower instead. The focus of the baby shower is very much on you and your baby.
What are Brazil's family traditions? ›
Traditional Brazilian culture places a high value on extended family ties, and regardless of social class family members customarily live in close proximity to one another. Adult sons and daughters almost always remain at home until they marry and usually live near their parents after marriage.
What is the Hispanic tradition after birth? ›
La cuarentena, which translates to quarantine is usually a tradition that makes mothers take care of themselves for the first 40 days after giving birth.
