Haiti Adoption

Haitian Children

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Haitian babies are often developmentally delayed when compared with North American babies of the same age.  Much of this is cultural and most of the time it is reversed soon after arriving in North America .  An example is standing and walking.  Haitian mothers tend not to stand their babies on their legs until after they are 6 months old.  They believe that letting a baby stand as newborns will damage their legs and backs.  So, a Haitian baby doesn't have the strength in their legs that a North American baby will have.  Also, a Haitian baby will crawl later.  The mothers don't give them the opportunity to be down on the floor to learn to crawl.  Many of the homes have dirt floors and the mothers are protecting the infants from the dirt. 

Most Haitian children crawl between 9 and 12 months and walk between 13 to 17 months.    This is delayed by North American standards but normal by Haitian standards.    After a baby arrives in their adoptive homes, they start advancing quickly and usually have caught up with their North American playmates within 6 months.

For older children, there may be language and cultural differences that will take time for them to adjust to once they arrive in North America .  For example, the primary language spoken in Haiti is Haitian Creole.  Children that have begun to acquire language skills will need time to learn English and any other languages spoken in their adoptive homes.  School aged children will need to be provided the time, love and support required transitioning them into the North American educational system.