has anyone actually tried on a cradleboard?

[meowee]

I was looking at pictures of native american cradleboards in a book and they looked extremely uncomfortable. Has anyone actually used one or tried one on? What did it feel like?

I don't understand the purpose of the decorative piece above the baby's head... wouldn't it just be added weight?

Despite appearances I keep thinking they must have been comfy and easy to wear since they were used so much.

Here is a picture:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ed...People_007.jpg

[michillimackinac]

Were they actually made of wood?

Thousands of years of thought probably brought them to that particular design, so they probably were somewhat comfortable, if you were used to wearing it.

[Jane]

http://members.tripod.com/~gelean/papoose.html

I think the back part is so it grows with the baby and so you can prop it up against stuff. And of course, protection against the rain or whether. And it's pretty.

[meowee]

http://members.tripod.com/~gelean/navajo3.jpg

Ok well in this picture the "extra" wooden part forms part of a shade which makes an awful lot of sense if you're going to be out in the sun!

[michillimackinac]

I can tell you one thing. I would want to be far, far away when the mama opens that thing up and the end of the day. The stench would have been worse than my town during a sanitation strike.

[michillimackinac]

Wrapping the child to a flat board also probably helped their bones grow correctly, too. As opposed to such a practice as Chinese footbinding.

[mamabearsoblessed]

I love them. I love how they look, how happy and content babe seems to be in every true pic I've ever seen.
I find myself drawn to these pictures and stories. I could see lots of these pics and paintings on my walls .
As far as a smell~ I believe their was often a 'chute' type opening where any waste could just drop away from baby at intervals and ec'ing was typical.
Don't quote me, I'm often wrong, feel free to correct and enlighten me.

Also, as for a 'stench' I don't imagine the mothers would leave their babes to soak in soiled wrappings for hours at a go.

[michillimackinac]

Originally Posted by mamabearsoblessed

Also, as for a 'stench' I don't imagine the mothers would leave their babes to soak in soiled wrappings for hours at a go.

I was making a joke.

Not to keep my mind in the gutter, but I am curious about how they handled the poopier side of things. The cradleboards look like they were wrapped up tight. Did they really undo all those straps every few hours, or did they actually have a "chute." Inquiring minds want to know.