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The Naked Scientists Forum  |  General Science  |  General Science  |  What did the Inuits use for diapers?
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What did the Inuits use for diapers?
Karsten
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06/10/2009 01:03:55 »
What did the Inuits use for diapers before there were cotton diapers and/or disposable diapers? Is there anything natural to be found up there that could be utilized for this purpose? Other methods or strategies? Lichen? What about where no plants grow? If no diapers, what else did they use or do? Not leave the igloo and hold the baby at arm's length for two years?

How, how, I have got to know!
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JnA
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06/10/2009 06:30:32 »
Why they used seal skins and moss.

Inuit's are what we today would call 'attachment parents'. They tend to carry their babies exclusively until the age of about two. So I guess they would quickly figure out when the baby needs to be cleaned.
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Karsten
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07/10/2009 00:57:16 »
Did/do they have access to moss at all times during the year? Did they wash the seal skins or just throw them out? Just rinse in cold water?
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JnA
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07/10/2009 07:50:37 »
Quote from: Karsten on 07/10/2009 00:57:16
Did/do they have access to moss at all times during the year? Did they wash the seal skins or just throw them out? Just rinse in cold water?

They either would have stored or found a substitute during moss lean times.

These days they* have MCN's (modern cloth nappies) the idea is that you line it with a disposable cloth and then use a reusable cloth for the bulk of the nappy. It's supposed to reduce landfill waste (that's another story) how ever the Inuit's, and others, in all likelihood used the same method. So washing would only occur periodically or if the skin was soiled. The washing of a soiled hide would be easier and faster (in both washing and drying time) than the cloth we use today.




*'they'  being western contemporary women.
« Last Edit: 07/10/2009 13:03:16 by JnA » Logged
Don_1
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07/10/2009 11:12:39 »
I think they just used a live young seal pup. When it was soiled, they threw it back in the sea and caught a fresh one.
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JnA
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07/10/2009 13:08:38 »
Quote from: Don_1 on 07/10/2009 11:12:39
I think they just used a live young seal pup. When it was soiled, they threw it back in the sea and caught a fresh one.


wouldn't that contaminate their food supply.. they probably just waited until the next curb side collection day.
« Last Edit: 07/10/2009 13:10:47 by JnA » Logged
Don_1
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07/10/2009 14:45:08 »
Ah! Yes could be a problem.
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Karsten
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08/10/2009 21:59:38 »
Quote from: Don_1 on 07/10/2009 11:12:39
I think they just used a live young seal pup. When it was soiled, they threw it back in the sea and caught a fresh one.

That is funny!
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