Curious about Italian baby traditions? Italians have traditions for everything – from baptisms to wedding days to holidays. There are special traditions for each major life event, including the birth of a bambino (baby boy) or bambina (baby girl).
As an expat in Italy, when I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I was excited to celebrate the baby traditions I’d grown up with, including having a baby shower and choosing a unique name for our little one.
I soon found out that the Italian baby traditions are different than what I’d grown up with. So, I began quizzing friends and my Italian family about the baby traditions in Italy.
While I didn’t follow all of them, I did pick up a couple of new ones!
Read on for 8 Italian Baby Traditions that are celebrated by mamme and papà all over Italy.
Table of Contents
Naming Traditions
Choosing Only Italian Names
Most Italians (especially older generations) turn their noses up at choosing a non-Italian name for a new baby. Robert for a boy? Mamma mia, no! Roberto is fine though.
You also won’t find non-traditional spellings of names. For example, Giulia is never spelled “Julia” or “Jewellia” or any other creative variation like “Giulienna.”
At first, I found this to be quite boring and I wanted my kids to have unique names. Now I see the beauty in having a traditional name. (And so do the parents of the other three kids in my son’s class with the same name).
Want to know more about Italian names? Check out: 101 Italian Girl Names 101 Italian Boy Names Gender Neutral Italian Names Italian Naming Traditions and Rules
Choosing Names Of Relatives
The Italian naming tradition:
The first son is named after the paternal grandfather.
The first daughter is named after the paternal grandmother.
The second son is named after the maternal grandfather.
The second daughter is named after the maternal grandmother.
So, if Matteo and Ginevra have a son, he will be named after Matteo’s grandfather. If they have a second son, he will be named after Ginevra’s grandfather.
If they have a third son, they may choose to name him after another family member (such as a favorite uncle), a saint, or the godfather.
While this tradition seems to be fading out, it is still occasionally followed.
Choosing Names Of Saints
Some Italians choose the name of the saint celebrated on the day the child is born. So, if your baby girl is born on August 11th (the day of Santa Chiara), you may choose to name your baby Chiara.
Of course, you can choose to name your little girl Chiara even if she’s not born on August 11th!
Birth Ribbon (Fiocco Della Nascita)
One of my favorite Italian baby traditions is the fiocco della nascita (birth ribbon). When a baby is born in Italy, you’ll see a huge blue (for boys) or pink (for girls) ribbon placed on the family’s door to announce the new addition.
Sometimes the birth ribbons are also placed at the workplace of the father or mother, so you may see one outside of an office building or on the door of a clothing store.
If the door to the home is not easily seen, the ribbon is often placed on a gate or fence, or somewhere else easily visible so neighbors and passersby know of the new arrival.
Godparents
While adherence to the Catholic faith isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, there are still Catholic traditions that hold strong in Italy, including choosing godparents for a new baby.
Italian parents have traditionally chosen godparents to give spiritual guidance to the new baby. Godparents are usually very involved in the baby’s baptism and help bring the child up in the Catholic church.
This is still the case, but there are also many Italian parents who aren’t devoted Catholics who still choose godparents for their children. Instead of offering spiritual guidance, they offer general life guidance and are there to support the child through life’s ‘ups and downs.’
There has been some controversy from the Catholic church about the purpose of godparents and some Italian parents are choosing to forgo the naming of godparents.
Baptism
Baptisms in Italy can be more important than weddings. Some parents begin planning the new baby’s baptism from the hospital room, just after the baby is born.
There may be extensive guest lists, decadent and expensive menus, and fancy gifts for the guests.
And then, there are plenty of Italians that forgo this tradition.
Some others choose to have a ‘low-key’ baptism with close friends and family.
No Baby Shower
When I found out I was pregnant, I was so excited about having a baby shower, which is a big part of my home country’s culture. I mentioned it to a couple of Italian friends and I had to explain what a baby shower was.
Baby showers are NOT a thing in Italy, and unlike other foreign traditions that manage to sneak into the Italian culture (Halloween, Black Friday…), this one doesn’t have a chance.
Why? Because Italians think it’s bad luck to give a gift to the baby before birth.
No Gifts Until The Baby Is Born
That’s right. No gifts for the baby until birth. No cute little onesies, no blankets. No purchasing gifts and ‘tucking them away’ until the baby’s born. Italians believe it’s just asking for something to go wrong if you gift something to a baby before it’s born.
So, if you’re a big planner, take a deep breath. You’ll just have to wait until you get the call or WhatsApp message – then you can head to the store to pick out the perfect outfit or toy for the new arrival.
Camicia Della Fortuna (Part Of Corredino Nascita)
Many families have a camicia della fortuna, or a good luck shirt. This is a newborn-sized shirt that is passed down from generation to generation for each new baby in the family to wear at birth. It’s usually white (or sometimes red) and made of silk or cotton. It typically ties in the back. Some families don’t wash the shirt, instead folding it up and putting it away until the next baby in the family is born.
In other families, each baby is gifted his or her own camicia della fortuna to keep.
In this case, the camicia della fortuna may be a part of a corredino nascita, which is an entire birth set. The set often includes the good luck shirt, hat, socks, pants, bib, towel, blanket, crib bedding, and more. You can purchase the corredinonascita (and have it embroidered) at shops throughout Italy, or nonna may knit a special one for the nuovo arrivo (new arrival).
Gifts In The Hospital Room
While gifts aren’t given before the Italian baby’s birth, the scene in the hospital room is another story. Friends, family, and acquaintances all stop by to see the bambino or bambina and offer their congratulations to mamma and papà.
Italian moms usually share a hospital room with another mother and baby so it can be quite a party with family and friends for both parties visiting at the same time.
Traditional gifts for a baby in Italy include the corredino nascita birth set, a personalized baby blanket, made in Italy clothing (Gucci onesie, anyone?), and baby bath products.
The parents may have confetti di nascita (‘birth confetti,’ usually a small organza pouch of candy-covered almonds) on hand to give to each visitor.
FAQ
Did you follow any or all of these Italian baby traditions?
We didn’t follow many Italian baby traditions for our three children. The traditions we did follow – we gave all of our children traditional Italian names, we baptized our first two children (although rather late for Italian standards), and I was gifted a camicia della fortuna for one of my boys (but he didn’t get to wear it because it was way too small for him at birth).
Traditionally, the oldest son is named after their paternal grandfather, and the oldest daughter is named after their paternal grandmother. The next son and daughter are then named after their maternal grandparents. It's also common to name your baby after an Italian saint.
Traditionally, the oldest son is named after their paternal grandfather, and the oldest daughter is named after their paternal grandmother. The next son and daughter are then named after their maternal grandparents. It's also common to name your baby after an Italian saint.
Notable traditional patronal festivals in Italy are the Feast of Saints Francis and Catherine, the Festival of Saint Agatha, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the Feast of San Gennaro and the Feast of Our Lady of the Hens.
In Italian culture, families socialize and celebrate often. Even on a regular day, they'll meet in each other's homes for dinner or head to restaurants together. Food equals love and tradition in Italian culture. If you enjoy Italian recipes, cooking, and eating, you're surely going to love being married to an Italian!
The famous elements of Italian culture are its art, music, cinema, style, and iconic food. Italy was the birthplace of opera, and for generations the language of opera was Italian, irrespective of the nationality of the composer.
What is Italian culture known for? Italian culture is known primarily for the importance of family. Food also plays a huge role in Italian culture, as it brings families and friends together.
Ferragosto. Part holy-day, part full-blown fiest, Ferragosto takes place every year in Italy on 15th August. It's a one-day national bank holiday but it trickles into the weeks preceding it. Entire cities empty and everyone flocks to the beach.
Italians are extremely family-oriented, and it is common to live with extended family such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins. And if you do not live directly in the same household as your extended family, then they are no more than a walking distance from you or a 5 minute drive.
Italian family life can be characterized by loyalty and closeness. From the immediate, nuclear family to more extended relatives, Italians tend to remain as a close unit through several generations.
Throughout history, crossing the palm of a newborn baby with silver was also seen as a way to wish them wealth and good health throughout their life. In addition to the celebratory element, crossing the baby's palm with silver was seen as a customary way to wish a new baby the best possible start in life.
They look like red horns and keep your kitchen safe. 2. Take a container of salt and sprinkle it everywhere. This is a must, from the corners of your new home so evil does not come in, to the trunk of your new car so blessings will always be with you.
Italy is home to the epicentre of the Roman Empire, the hub of Catholicism and the birthplace of the Renaissance. It has a rich heritage in art, history, religion, cuisine, architecture and fashion. These cultural legacies have been deeply influential in defining Western cultural tradition.
Here are some famous Italian sayings: a caval donato non si guarda in bocca (don't look a gift horse in the mouth), chi dorme non piglia pesci (you snooze, you lose), parla bene, ma parla poco (speak well, but speak little), tutto è bene ciò che finisce bene (all is well that ends well).
In Europe, Italians have the highest genetic diversity. The gradient of their genetic variability, scattered all over the peninsula, encloses on a small scale the whole genetic variance between southern and continental Europeans.
Some of them include: jinxing gestures (like “le corna” – the horns – find out more about this in my guide to Italian gestures), carrying lucky charms and amulets like the “cornetto”, scratching genitalia, keeping red chilli peppers at your doorstep, and saying “in bocca al lupo” to wish someone good luck.
The most important holidays – with the most closures – are Christmas and Easter, followed by New Year's Day and Labor Day. Chiuso per Ferie means Closed for Holiday – a sign you're likely to see anytime there is a public holiday or in August!
Columbus Day allows Italian Americans to collectively celebrate their coming to America. Columbus Day stands as a reminder to all immigrants that their unique history and culture will be recognized and to affirm the United States as a nation of immigrants.
While men and women have equal rights in law, society is still largely male-dominated. Within the family dynamic, the man is usually the patriarch and considered the primary income earner. Traditionally, a woman was expected to fulfil roles of matrimony and motherhood.
They appreciate the small things, take their time, and find beauty in the everyday aspects of life. A family meal, a coffee with friends, or a leisurely passeggiata (stroll) are all to be cherished in the Italian culture.
The common verbal greeting is “Ciao” (Hello). This is quite casual. People may also say “Buongiorno” (Good day) or “Buonasera” (Good evening) to be more formal. Address a person by their title and last name, and continue to do so until invited to move to a first-name basis.
When we say Italy, Pizza, Pasta and the famous Rome come to our mind. Italy is worldwide famous for its Art, culture, food, beautiful location, and architecture.
No gifts for the baby until birth. No cute little onesies, no blankets. No purchasing gifts and 'tucking them away' until the baby's born. Italians believe it's just asking for something to go wrong if you gift something to a baby before it's born.
According to the ius soli principle, citizenship is the right of anyone born in a country. In this case, all children born in Italy would obtain Italian citizenship from birth regardless of the citizenship of their parents.
During pregnancy in Italy, it is possible to be followed by either a private or a public doctor. If you have a public doctor, you will likely give birth at the hospital where your doctor is based. If you have a private doctor, you are still able to give birth at the public hospital if you are part of the SSN.
Many mothers in Italy embrace their matriarchal roles of creating a loving, stable home for their children, and maintaining traditions that revolve around culture, religion – and food. But like many women around the world, the role of an Italian mother has changed with the times.
Italians (Italian: Italiani, pronounced [itaˈljaːni]) are an ethnic group native to the Italian geographical region and its neighboring insular territories. Italians share a common culture, history, ancestry and language.
You can claim Italian citizenship through descent as Italy recognizes jure sanguinis (by the bloodline). However, you must prove that your Italian ancestor was, in fact, an Italian citizen or had the right to claim Italian citizenship when they were born.
Italian citizenship by descent is based on the principle of jure sanguinis (right of blood). Children under the age of 18 are automatically Italian if one of the parents is an Italian citizen, and their birth certificate is registered with the Italian authorities.
Among these Romance languages are Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Rumanian. Therefore, all Italians, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Rumanians, and Portuguese, as well as all those Latin Americans whose language is Spanish or Portuguese (an English-speaking person from Jamaica would not qualify) are latinos.
The major ethnic group in Italy is the Italians, who account for 95% (above 60 million) of the total population of Italy. The remaining 5% of the population consists of ethnicities like Albanians, Romanians, Ukrainians, and other Europeans (2.5%); Africans (1.5%), and several other minorities (1%).
In Italy, it's mandatory that all employed pregnant women take five months of paid maternity leave (congedo di maternità in Italian) — it's actually illegal for an employer to keep you working during this time. Typically, that leave is divided, with two months taking place before your due date and three months after.
Italian women are often denied anesthesia during childbirth. More than a hundred years after it was first used for labor pains, and decades after it became the go-to pain relief for the majority of American women who give birth, Italian women have finally won the right to an epidural.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
