You Arent Supposed To Hold A Newborn Baby If On Menstrual Cycle?

I have been having a debate about this with some people. They swear that it's so true, but I just don't believe it. I actually think it's kind of silly, an old wives tale at best. Someone even told me that the MD's and RN's tell mothers this before they are discharged, but I have two kids and have NEVER heard of such a thing.

So I wanted to come here and ask some of you experienced nurses about this. Have you ever heard of it and if so is there any validity to it?

53 Answers

Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Silly, silly ... complete old wives tale. It's the husband who's not supposed to hold the baby while mom is menstruating. The baby could turn into a flying monkey! I can't believe nobody knew that! Geesh, it's so obvious. ?

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Never heard of it, sounds like a silly old wive's tale. Obviously working peds, I hold babies when necessary, whether I'm menstruating or not...

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Never heard of anyhting so silly. Did you really think it was true?

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Actually, some cultures hold this to be true. Some NAI cultures believe that the woman will rush (drain) the blood from the newborn.

I've heard that if you hold a newborn while on menses that you conceive the next month.

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I have heard its in certain cultures that they believe this because a woman at the time is thought of as unclean. I have never heard of a dr. or nurse tell me or anyone else I know of this but we were taught about it in a culture class :)

Ok. I had to laugh at this post! Here in the NICU, most of the nurses wouldn't be able to work 1 week per month if we couldn't hold babies while menstruating. That's just preposterous!

Specializes in ER, ICU.

You hear something new every day. That's ridiculous.

OMG! Thank you so much for backing me up on this! I thought it was the dumbest thing EVER, but they swore by it. One girl even said that she held a baby while she was on her period and the baby ended up becoming constipated. Then she held a different baby while on her period and that baby too became constipated! Obviously shes never heard of a coincidence...

loriangel14 said:
Never heard of anyhting so silly. Did you really think it was true?

No not at all, just wondering if anyone else ever heard of it...

Specializes in LTC.

So what is supposed to happen when you hold a baby when your on your period?

casi said:
So what is supposed to happen when you hold a baby when your on your period?

According to them it gives the baby an upset stomach/constipation. And some other things, but I didnt care enough to ask what.

starmickey03 said:
I have been having a debate about this with some people. They swear that its so true, but I just dont believe it. I actually think its kind of silly, an old wives tale at best. Someone even told me that the MD's and RN's tell mothers this before they are discharged, but I have two kids and have NEVER heard of such a thing.

So I wanted to come here and ask some of you experienced nurses about this. Have you ever heard of it and if so is there any validity to it?

I know in the Italian culture, a wives tale is that a woman cannot can homemade gravy while on her cycle because she will spoil the gravy. I've never heard of the newborn tale, but that is definitely one to add to the list!

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