Breast milk
Granny midwives had specific protocols for newborn infants. When children were born, granny midwives might place charms on the infant such as silver or copper coins to help bind the infant's spirit to its body. Granny midwives also encouraged breastfeeding after birth, as breast milk would pass the mother's wisdom or “mother wit” to her infant. Breast milk served as an additional spiritual binder for the infant, binding its spirit to the mother's. Another common practice among granny midwives was the coating of infant's skin in lard, tallow, or Vaseline. This not only protected the infant's skin from the elements, but it also prevented meconium from adhering to the infant's skin.