Countless customs and beliefs were related to the beginning of a new life, the birth of a newborn baby.

Until the end of the World War II, most births took place in the mother’s home. Babies were delivered by midwives. The mothers laid in bed for 6 weeks after the birth. During this time, gossips (“komaasszonyok”), relatives, neighbours and acquaintances provided her with cooked food. For lunch, they brought chicken soup, chicken with paprika, fried chicken or fried meat with potatoes, rice and sauce, and at tea-time, the resting mother in childbed was given floating islands dessert, rice pudding and cakes. This custom was called “komatál adás” (giving gift basket).

The baby was lying in a cradle, wrapped in a pillow. An egg was put under the pillow to make the baby as healthy and roundish as an egg. Under the mother’s head, at her feet and in the child’s cradle a knife, fork, garlic garland were placed, and a red ribbon was tied around her arm to protect her from evil. But the baby could also be protected from evil with thyme, his father’s trousers, drawstrings, or turned-up clothes as well. A candle or lamp was kept burning in the house all night to prevent the sinister witch from entering the room.

The child was taught to stand in a small, round-holed chair called “állóka”, and to walk by hand or with a wheeled playpen.