What Breakfast Food Used to be a Gift for New Moms?

Bagels were once given as gifts to women after childbirth.

After a woman has had a bun in the oven for nine months, presenting her with a bagel might seem like a strange choice.

But some of the earliest writings on bagels relate to the idea of giving them as gifts to women after labor.

Many historians believe that bagels were invented in the Jewish community of Krakow, Poland, during the early 17th century. 

Their circular shape echoes the round challah bread eaten on the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah. Enjoying round challahs is meant to bring good luck, expressing the hope that endless blessings — goodness without end — will arrive in the coming year. Likewise, in Krakow centuries ago, a bagel signified the circle of life and longevity for the child. 

Community records in Krakow advised that bagels could be bestowed on both expectant and new moms. 

They were also regarded as a thoughtful gift for midwives. In addition to the symbolism of the round shape, the bread was believed to bring a pregnant woman or midwife good fortune in a delivery by casting aside evil spirits. 

Some pregnant women even wore bagels on necklaces as protection, or ensured bagels were present in the room where they gave birth. 

As babies grew out of their newborn phases and started teething, mothers were also known to let their little ones gnaw on bagels. Today, of course, bagels are often enjoyed throughout the life cycle. 

More than 202 million Americans ate bagels in 2020, and in flavors (like rainbow, apple pie, jalapeño cheddar) that would have dazzled the residents back in 17th-century Krakow.