40 days

My Anne and brother-in-law both asked me today, on separate occasions, how many days old our son is . . .

He'll be six weeks on Tuesday, but the reason they asked how many days old he is - is because it is tradition to stay indoors for forty days with the newborn.  When I asked why, the answer was: microbes.

Does that mean on ay 39, dangerous bacteria may attack, but on day 41 they stop?  It sounds more like a tradition for serving up some postpartum depression.  I looked online about the significance of 40 days and several cultures do this for bonding between mother and son, adjustment to breastfeeding, recovery, weak immune systems, allowing the mother to stay home from church and family (requiring them to come to her) . . .

Yet, the tradition that sticks is the one linked to fear.  MICROBES! Eek eek eek!


I've been debating going for a walk with our son - outside to test drive our stroller and get at least one wear out of his snow suit (it's still really cold here) - in part to show I don't adhere to ridiculous beliefs.

Except I'm nervous about microbes now . . .