Post-Partum Traditions and Concerns
In the U.S., baby showers are generally given before a baby is born while the custom in many other countries is to wait until after the baby is born. Keep the following in mind should you decide to throw a shower for a sister:
1. Having a baby shower before the baby arrives helps parents know exactly what they will need to purchase for their baby on their own.
2. Likewise, having a shower before the birth of a baby can save the parents money if a big-ticket item such as a crib or a car-seat is being given as a gift. Waiting until after the baby's birth almost guarantees that the parents will have already purchased such basics.
3. Waiting until after the baby's birth to have the shower allows guests to buy clothes and gifts which are gender-appropriate.
4. A post-partum shower takes into account the possibility of a baby's death before, during or shortly after delivery and averts a difficult situation for the parents.
5. Assuming (Allah willing) that the baby is okay, a shower after his or her birth allows him (the guest of honor) to be present!
*Fenugreek has been though for centuries to increase a nursing woman's milk and is prepared all over the Arab world as an aid to lactation. It is also believed by Western herbalists to aid in the treatment of digestive problems, sore throats and high colestorol. Prepared as a paste and applied to certain kinds of skin injuries or areas of the body affected by arthritis, fenugreek has been found to provide relief. However, you should not use fenugreek if you are pregnant as it causes uterine contractions. It should also not be given to young children or consumed in high doses. When using fenugreek or any other herb it is always wise to consult a physician to determine appropriate use and dosage.
Try fenugreek in the following recipes:
Milk with Fenugreek (popular in Jordan and the Arabic Gulf countries), Ethiopian Ambasha (a kind of bread), and Fried Persian Fish
Coming Soon: Greeting a New Baby in the Islamic Manner