Birth Celebrations (Doğum Kutlamaları)
Birth of a child is celebrated with specific traditions. The most important is the 'lohusa şerbeti' (a sweet red drink) served to announce the birth. Baby is often visited with gifts, and mother is pampered for 40 days.
Usage contextfamily
Do
- Drink lohusa şerbeti when offered (announces birth)
- Say 'Allah analı babalı büyütsün' (May God let parents raise them)
- Visit with baby gifts (clothes, gold, toys)
- Attach nazar boncuğu (evil eye bead) to baby gifts
- Say 'Maşallah' when complimenting baby
- Offer to help mother with meals, cleaning
Don't
- Don't visit immediately after birth (wait few days)
- Don't visit if you're sick
- Don't bring newborn baby around crowds (first 40 days)
- Don't compliment baby without saying 'Maşallah'
- Don't stay too long - new mothers need rest
- Don't ask invasive questions about birth