Interesting Customs
In the Lakota tradition, a piece of placenta is sewn into a beaded amulet turtle for baby girls and a lizard for baby boys. It is hung near the baby's bed and later sewn into their dance regalia and worn throughout their lives. Using this piece of placenta is thought to ground and tie the child to their parents, family, and the earth. It is to help them to always find their way back home and remind them of their origin.
Burying your baby's placenta at home is to help the child from ever losing their way and to help them find their way home. It is to encourage them not to stray far from home.
"Lotus Birth" is a practice of birthing the placenta and allowing it to naturally disconnect from the child without severing the cord or manually disconnecting it from the baby. It is the recognition that the placenta belongs to the baby rather than the mother, hence the sacred decision to leave the placenta connected to the baby until both baby and placenta decide that it is time for separation. Common practice is to put the placenta in salt and herbs while wrapped in a cloth and place it inside a beautifully prepared cloth pouch until they disconnect.
Burying your baby's placenta at home is to help the child from ever losing their way and to help them find their way home. It is to encourage them not to stray far from home.
"Lotus Birth" is a practice of birthing the placenta and allowing it to naturally disconnect from the child without severing the cord or manually disconnecting it from the baby. It is the recognition that the placenta belongs to the baby rather than the mother, hence the sacred decision to leave the placenta connected to the baby until both baby and placenta decide that it is time for separation. Common practice is to put the placenta in salt and herbs while wrapped in a cloth and place it inside a beautifully prepared cloth pouch until they disconnect.