News from Our Scientists

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two women walking down a wooded path, one is wearing an indigenous cradle on her back

News from Our Scientists is a rotating exhibit featuring the work of the Museum's scientists.

Studying Cradles

three types of indigenous infant cradle technology lined up

While mothers in most cultures throughout the world carry their babies in slings, women in Indigenous communities in North America have used cradles for thousands of years. Why? NHMU scientist Dr. Alexandra Greenwald conducted an experiment to test the benefits of cradles as a technology, finding cradles to be more efficient than slings because they offer the ability to safely put babies down and work unencumbered. This study builds upon generations of Indigenous knowledge.

See research previously displayed in the News From Our Scientists exhibit archive.