Table 1.

Repertoire of common care‐giving practices for Pemban newborns identified from informal discussions with key informants

Description	Description of care‐giving practice
Practices around the time of delivery	(1) give birth at home; (2) give birth in hospital; (3) vaccinate baby; (4) boil razor used to cut cord; (5) tie cord with string or thread; (6) bury placenta; (7) wrap baby; (8) call baby to prayer (adhana)
Practices in the early post‐partum period	(1) wash baby with water; (2) wash baby with soap; (3) apply oil on baby's skin; (4) apply olive oil on baby's skin; (5) apply oil on baby's fontanel; (6) massage baby after warming hands; (7) massage baby with coconut oil; (8) carry baby to ‘pass the doorway’ 7 days after birth
Practices for preventing and managing illness	(1) apply soot on baby's feet, palms and face; (2) apply kohl on baby's forehead or eyes; (3) do not wash baby; (4) massage baby with oil that does not have a strong smell; (5) wash baby with soap that does not have a strong smell; (6) wash baby with Swahili medicine; (7) mix oil with Swahili medicine and apply on baby's skin; (8) shave part of the baby's hair and apply medicine to the shaven area; (9) make the baby inhale medicinal smoke from burning dried Swahili medicine
Liquids and foods to give to newborns	(1) breast milk; (2) water (plain or mixed with glucose); (3) cow's milk; (4) dill water*; (5) powdered milk † ; (6) shubili ‡ ; (7) dates and honey; (8) biscuits; (9) tonga, vichukio and kachiri § ; (10) thin porridge made of corn flour.

^* This water is commercially made; it is bought in small bottles and is packaged as industrially made medicinal syrups, directions on the package indicate that relieve colics. In Pemba it is used when the newborn is perceived to be having stomach problems, when he cries, or to relieve gas.

^{† †} Including infant formula.

^{‡ ‡} A bitter herbal mixture made from aloe.

^{§ §} Oral traditional medicines for newborns.