Babies, babies everywhere! It must have been a long cold winter in Northern Italy because the streets around Lake Garda in September and October were teeming with little bambinos, bambinas and heavily pregnant mamas-to-be.
Italy is one of those comforting countries where stereotypes turn out to be true more often than not: people really do eat pasta every day, they are image-obsessed and they do wave their hands a great deal when they speak.
So, reading down the stereotype checklist, it’s no surprise to find that the family is very much the focus of Italian life. It’s acceptable for you to admire, coo at, or even tickle a stranger’s child; in fact, some parents would find it odd if you didn’t.
Babies and young children are taken everywhere with all social encounters focussed on la mama and her little ones.
Breast-feeding is very popular and thoroughly encouraged by doctors, the mums I spoke to tell me,
although I haven’t seen it in public. New mothers are given a lot of information and support about breastfeeding and the health of their child. As Italians are appasionata about food – see stereotypes, above – it follows that good nutrition starts at their mother’s breast.
Natural and organic themes – food, clothes, toys – seem to be increasingly popular. These might have entered through Italy’s environmentally-friendly Germanic neighbours, but it’s a lifestyle choice that fits in well with Italy’s
traditional priorities. Many mother and baby shops have organic ranges and toy shops contained a large proportion of hand-made wooden toys; local food is common even in supermarkets and it’s often organic. When shopping– be it for food, clothes, furniture – quality is paramount; this is especially true for anything relating to babies.
Family and food: the cornerstones of a happy life.
Thank you to mum-to-be Sheila from Bingley for sharing her story. Share your views – contact us.
