a small bed for a baby that rocks
from Old English cradol
A cradle CRADLES babies - it holds them gently like arms!
Cradle historically associates with maternal care and domestic female labor, reinforcing the gendered division between childcare (female-coded) and public work (male-coded).
Use neutrally for infant support; avoid metaphors that imply women's natural caregiving role.
["support","hold","secure"]
Women's unpaid cradle labor has historically been invisible; recognize caregiving as skilled work deserving recognition and compensation.
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