Forget the placenta, the umbilical cord is where it’s at, folks — at least when it comes to the latest afterbirth trend.
As it turns out, eating your placenta is so last year. New moms are now creating keepsake crafts using dried-up umbilical cords. Like this colorful piece of art spelling out “love.”
Or this lovely heart-shaped piece.
Even if you’re not into this type of crunchy artwork, you have to admit it’s still pretty fascinating. These dream catchers are made with umbilical cords, too.
Some artists are even spelling out baby’s name with fresh umbilical cords before baking them at a low heat setting to dry.
Honestly, the furthest thing from my mind after pushing a tiny human out of my body was collecting the afterbirth to make art. I did catch a glimpse of the placenta just chilling out in a metal pan after my first baby. That image was more than enough of a keepsake for me. To each their own, right?
Another unique option for parents who want umbilical cord art — without going through the crafting/drying process themselves, or hanging an actual umbilical cord on the wall — is Little Cord Art. This service makes photo prints of magnified umbilical cord cells. BAM! Science and the arts.
Something I would consider creating for a keepsake is breast milk jewelry. I was clicking around one day and found myself oddly excited about the prospect of breast milk beads, rings and necklaces. (You can also get them made with umbilical cords.) I think I’m more comfortable with this type of keepsake because an outsider would have no idea breast milk is part of the jewelry — yet, it’s a sentimental reminder of the weeks/months/years spent with my nursling.
Or you know, I could just stick with jewelry and art not made from an organ or glandular secretions. But what’s the fun in that?
Screenshots via Instagram: doulamoonyeg, natalie_hoflin, saskia_vaga, the_nurturing_root
What do you think of umbilical cord keepsakes? Would you make/order art or jewelry made out of your baby’s umbilical cord?
Share your thoughts!Click through the slideshow, below, to read more breastfeeding-related posts by me.
What the first 2 weeks of breastfeeding are really like
7 reasons why this is my all-time favorite breastfeeding position
5 tips to make breastfeeding suck less
The 5 weirdest places I’ve breastfed in public
Could this gadget solve moms’ #1 breastfeeding challenge?
Mom opens first breastfeeding cafe — and gets death threats?
Does everybody really need to calm down about breastfeeding?
Milk sharing: What it looks like to breastfeed a baby that isn’t yours
Must-see photo captures true-life warrior, breastfeeding
Week 26: I’m not looking forward to breastfeeding
Farewell, dear breast pump: A eulogy
(Photo via Thinkstock)
