“My guess is that Mother did not speak English, nor was she from that city. Such a fact would help her not to feel any sense of shame or responsibility by creating such a stink.”
That was where my thoughts were going. Did she have a prayer rug with her?
Oh, my guess is that it is a Park Slope kind of British mama, of English origin, raising a Diaper-Free baby.
It promotes such closeness and bonding, and it’s so good for the environment. And for the baby! S/z/he feels comfortable with his body and its functions, and achieves an early physical competence, which is VERY good for self-esteem.