The few observations that were recorded suggest that the Wampanoags
had a high birth rate and rather high infant mortality.[453] The high
number of infant deaths may have been due in part to the fact that
within three days after its birth the baby was being carried about on
the mother’s back in all the tasks that she went about outside.[454]
Moreover, the Wampanoag style of cradle board made no provision for a
device to shield the infant’s face.[455]
A baby’s clothing consisted of a coating of grease and a beaver skin
or other fur wrapping in which he was bound onto the cradle board.
The child was tied so that his knees were drawn up against his
stomach, then when the board was set down and leaned somewhere he
would be in a sitting position.[456]
Babies were soothed by the lullabies of their mothers.[457] It is
said that they were generally very quiet infants and cried little.
The Wampanoags were extremely fond of their children, giving them a
great deal of indulgence and affection.[458] Infants were not weaned
until they were over a year old.[459] Such child-rearing practices
resulted in children that were “sawcie, bold, and undutifull”,
according to English eyes.[460]