Babies Celebrated
Béatrice Fontanel
1998
Babies Celebrated is a beautifully curated journey through the ways different cultures around the world welcome, carry, and care for their babies. Drawing on rich photography and accessible, heartfelt text, Béatrice Fontanel highlights the universal joys and challenges of infancy while celebrating the astonishing diversity of traditions. From intricate beadwork to simple cloth wraps, from cradleboards to hammock carriers, the book offers a tender glimpse into the first months of life across continents and centuries.
Why It’s Included
This book shines a light on the deeply human practice of babywearing and the shared experiences that connect us all as parents and caregivers. It underscores the idea that keeping babies close — through carrying, wrapping, or swaddling — is a thread running through almost every culture. For those interested in traditional parenting practices, anthropology, or simply in the beauty of diverse family life, Babies Celebrated offers inspiration and gentle education.
Who It’s For
This book is ideal for parents, babywearing educators, anthropologists, and anyone curious about cultural traditions surrounding infancy. It’s also a beautiful resource for educators or doulas who wish to help families connect with timeless ways of nurturing and protecting little ones.
“I first fell in love with this book in the library, many years ago. Eventually I tracked down another ex-library copy and have treasured it ever since. Seeing these families, doing the everyday things we all do to care for our babies - so diverse yet so very much alike. These traditional people are under the threat of a globalised society - a white-washing and elimination. ”
