In The Old Days ?

[anneasquith]

many years ago new born babies were not allowed outside the home until they were baptized/christened, were dressed in white for the first 6months/1 year of life. there was a name for the time the baby was dressed in non white clothing, was it ' skirting ' TIA

[andres]

How many years are you gong back?

[andres]

going^^

[anneasquith]

50/60 ish ?

[Mosaic]

Are you thinking of 'breeching'?
I'm not sure you've been told the right thing about newborns and christening.

Dressing in white might simply have been lack of other baby clothes in the days pre-man-made fibres, but wrapping babies in coloured shawls etc was widespread.

Those extra-long 'christening gowns' were put on posh babies not just for christening, but all the time, as the extra cloth was bundled up to soak up the wee - a 19th century baby was basically a widdly sponge.

Little boys wore frocks until they were continent - age depends on individuals - and once they could sprint to the potty unaided they got their first trousers, ie were 'breeched'.

I reckin breeching stopped around the time of world war one, when terry towelling hence terry nappies became more commonplace.

[anneasquith]

mosaic, really interesting thanks.

[woofgang]

it was certainly much longer than 50 or 60 years ago!
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/10/pink-used-common-color-boys-blue-girls/

[gness]

Don't know about the skirting, Anne.....but when my son was born forty odd years ago my Catholic family wouldn't visit or allow us in their homes until I had been "churched"....cleansed of a sin. Can't remember what sin it was but maybe someone here does......x

[Mamyalynne]

//In Christian tradition the Churching of Women is the ceremony wherein a blessing is given to mothers after recovery from childbirth. The ceremony includes thanksgiving for the woman's survival of childbirth, and is performed even when the child is stillborn, or has died unbaptized.//

[gness]

Thank you, Mamya......I have little memory of it other than attending the service just to keep everyone happy....x

[anneasquith]

woof, great post thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

Well yes, why not - it dates back to the Bible (I know, don't shoot the messenger) and the Purification of the Virgin Mary.

[anneasquith]

my mother was unwell following my birth, baptism was the first sunday ( after mass )following birth, only my god mother and father attended,