[originaltext] Many African mothers carry babies on their back. In this way,

Many African mothers carry babies on their back. In this way, a working mother knows that her baby is safe on her back while her hands are free for her work. On the other hand, the baby stays in close contact with his mother and feels safe and warm. However, back-nesting is not suitable in summer. Besides, (29) back-nesting does not give babies freedom and chance to use their hands and legs. Children need to observe and explore the environment. What’s more, this sense of security given by back-nesting may be suddenly broken when the child can no longer be carried. He may be put down and expected to behave like a grown-up child. (30) But he has been over protected for so long that now he feels very insecure and many behave like a baby. Once I visited a friend’s home, where the mother was carrying her eleven-month-old son on her back. I found the mother had nothing special to do with her hands and the baby was restless. I asked her to put the baby down. At first, ( 31 ) she didn’t want to because she firmly believed that if she carried the baby on her back, he could sleep longer, keep quieter and make less mess. I tried my best to persuade her and finally she gave in. Immediately the child began examining the toy drum before him. He looked much live her and happier.