Last week, my Dutch tutor introduced me to a tradition called "beschuit met muisjes" (biscuits with little mice) After the birth of a child, visitors in Dutch households are greeted with a treat, a type of biscuit covered with a bit of butter and then sprinkled with "muisjes," blue or pink sugar sprinkles (depending on whether the celebrated birth was a boy or girl).

According to Wiki, the muisjes are actually sugared anise seeds, and anise "was good for the mother's milk, that it would ease the contractions in the womb, and that it would drive away evil spirits."

An interesting tradition. If you are ever offered one of these treats, now you know why.