Cradle Boards

The cradleboard, once used by Native Americans, and is still used today! The purpose of a cradleboard is to carry a Native American infant inside. The cradleboard was invented because a woman had many things to juggle at the time. Such as, cooking the food, harvesting crops, managing the household, and lastly taking care of the children. This proved to be hard work, therefore the coming of the cradleboard. This carrier is even, sometimes referred to as an infant's home. The cradleboard is carried by a mom on their back, or set in the field of which she is working. Cradleboards have played a huge and important role in Native American families. Cradleboards, which much like baby backpacks are used to carry infants primarily during their first year.

Most cradleboards are made with a wooden base along the backside. The outer part of the cradleboard is usually painted in brightly colored paints. Also using shells, beads or even quills to decorate the cradleboard. 1 The design of the board is built like so to prevent injury to the young infant even if the board were to fall. In many types a hoop or bow at the top of the cradle board served to protect the infant's head). Doing this proved to be a great protection indeed. The vast majority of American Indian baby carriers were made of hide and cloth, or woven from woody stems and shoots. Some on the cradleboards are simply made of a few wooden planks and strong textiles; these may be decorated with beading. Cradleboards also have a big meaning, symbolizing and expressing diversity and cultural identity. If there is a drawing on the cradleboard, that may have a meaning as well. These pictures usually are painted in bright colors expressing hope, happiness, and peace for the infant and its future.

To the Native American's cradleboard making was a deep ceremonial act in their eyes. Making them brought prestige to their family. 2 Sometimes the baby was completely laced up to the chin to keep warm, or for them to sleep. At other times the fastening was loosened a bit so that the baby had his or her arms free and could play with little toys that were fastened to the cradleboard.

How to make a cradleboard:

1.

o 1

Light plywood makes wearing more comfortable.

Cut the plywood to suit the size of the baby. A newborn board will measure about 23 inches long and about 10 inches wide. For a larger, older baby, cut a piece 28 inches by 12 inches. Round the top off. Sand the edges with the coarse, then fine, grade paper, till the edges are completely smooth.

o 2

Use the very softest material for the inner layer.

Cut a square of soft flannel 32-inches by 32-inches. Fold one edge over 1/2 inch, iron the fold and fold again. Sew. This will be your