The Incas did not measure an individual's life in years but in stages of life. The entrance into each phase of life involved rituals, celebrations, and obligations. Infancy was the first stage, and childhood the second. The final stage was adulthood, which brought with it marriage and the responsibilities of setting up and running a household.

Comfort, particularly physical, was not an important part of an Inca's passing through these phases of life. Incas prepared themselves for a life of work and duty.

Infancy

Even birth did not call for pampering of either the expectant mother or the newborn. Incas made almost no prebirth preparations other than the expectant mother praying for an easy delivery. Usually, the mother continued working until the baby came.

There were no physicians or midwives among the Incas to help at birth; rather, the immediate family and close relatives provided aid...