Tribal Children
Excerpts from "Lake County Indian Lore"

" If we could have but one generation of properly born, trained, educated and healthy children, a thousand other problems would vanish"

Among the Pomo's much affection was shown by parents to their children. The average number of children to each family was not large. The young ones were well taken care of. The loving of a child was given a word which meant beautifying.

After birth and for about one year, the baby was raised entirely within a baby basket; hands, feet and body being tied in. Later its hands were allowed free and still later the basket was laid on its back and the child was seated within it. The first solid foods consisted of soups and mush, made with native supplies such as acorns, pieces of fish, meat, etc.

The babies were washed twice a day. Water was warmed in water tight baskets and temperatures controlled by putting in heated stones. Soap root was used to assist in the cleaning and a bunch of shredded tule was use as a wash cloth. More shredded tule was used as diapers.

In case of the death of a mother, the children were adopted by her mother or other close relative. They were raised in the new family and shown full affection. In all cases, of either separation of parents, or death of the father the children remained with the mother.