Cradleboard

The purpose of this headpiece is to provide shade for the infant, since it could be covered with an animal skin, or a blanket in winter to protect against the elements in colder climates.

Ornaments and sacred amulets are often attached to the headpiece as well, for example "beaded umbilical cord cases, and dream catchers or medicine wheels", to amuse and help the infant develop his or her eyesight.

[2] The inside of the cradleboard is padded with a lining of fresh plant fibres, such as sphagnum moss, cattail down, or shredded bark from juniper or cliffrose.

[2] The Chippewa tradition was to make a lining for the cradleboard usually from moss growing in cranberry marshes, which is smoked over a fire to kill insects, then rubbed and pulled to soften it.

[9] In present-day South America, most indigenous cultures used slings or pouches, sometimes called a rebozo, for carrying infants rather than cradleboards.

When the infant reaches the age when it can sit up unsupported, it is then gradually weaned from the use of the cradleboard, and spends progressively less time in it.

In the capital city of Bishkek, there was a direct correlation between the level of Russification and the likelihood to use the traditional cradleboard where households who spoke Russian at home were least likely to use it.

[13] In an additional study comparing these attitudes to the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan, such as Jalalabad and Osh, the initial findings were supported with further evidence showing families who did not speak Russian at home were much more likely to use the traditional cradleboard.

This can be avoided by placing padding between the baby's legs to keep the knees slightly bent with the hips angled outward.

[16] Among all survey participants in Jalalabad and Osh provinces in the Kyrgyz Republic who gave reasons for not using the traditional cradleboard, not one mentioned the risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip.