What, exactly, are breast warmers — and why are they popular with nursing mothers in Sweden? Why are antiradiation vests a must-have for many pregnant women in China? Is it true that expectant moms in Cuba are afraid to let anyone touch their pregnant belly? In celebration of Mother's Day, we asked the editors of BabyCenter's 11 international websites (all mothers themselves) to answer these and other fascinating questions about motherhood around the globe.

The evil eye and other age-old beliefs

Mexico: If you experience a lot of nausea during pregnancy, your newborn will have a full head of hair.

Cuba & Panama
People in many Latin American countries share a belief in the "evil eye" — that is, the power of an evil or envious person to cause harm to a pregnant woman or her baby. In Cuba, pregnant women won't let anyone they don't know or trust touch their pregnant belly. In Panama, moms-to-be won't reveal how far along they are in their pregnancy, and they're especially cautious around anyone who may be holding a grudge. Women believe that sharing this information puts them at risk for birth complications or an ugly child. New babies are dressed in red from head to toe, because red is thought to ward off the evil eye.

People in India also believe in the evil eye and they ward it off by burning red chilies and camphor. They also believe that during an eclipse, pregnant women should remain inside the house or their babies will be born with a cleft lip or other deformity. "Even educated people hold this superstition," according to BabyCenter editor Vidya Sen. "The attitude is, 'It may not be true, but why test nature's fury?'"

Switzerland & United States
In both these countries, people say you can tell whether you're having a girl or boy by looking in the mirror. "A boy is said to enhance his mother's beauty, while a girl weakens it," according to BabyCenter editor Claudia Starck.