Fairies are thought to have a difficult time birthing. Many times newborn fairies are borne with deformities, mental deficiencies, and so forth. The fairies cannot abide such impurity and seek to exchange the deficient baby with a healthy human baby…thus the name changeling.
Infants who are much admired or infants, who have not been baptized, are often the targets of these fairy exchanges. When such exchanges occur, the human household is in for a rough time. The changeling is very demanding and brings a variety of misfortune to the household. Changelings usually have a wizened appearance, thin frail limbs, darkened eyes, and yellowed skin. One positive attribute of these fairies is that they are often gifted musicians and bring much joy when they perform.
Although less frequent, older children can be the target of a fairy exchange. One can’t tell the change has occurred by the changeling’s appearance as in the case of infants because the changeling will appear much like the child did. However, one can tell by the extreme personality change. Fairy changelings tend to be cold and unresponsive.
In all cases, the changeling has little regard for humans and is indifferent to the burdens placed on the family. For instance, they will eat everything in the house and expect more. In most cases, the changeling does not live more than a couple of years. Examining the burial mound can reveal its true nature. Instead of the body of an infant, one will find bog roots or some other aspect of a tree rather than an infant.
The best way to ward off an exchange is to lay an element of the father’s clothing over the infant. Religious objects (crucifix, etc.) placed around the crib are also thought to be effective deterrents.
It is also thought possible to drive out the changeling by getting it to reveal it’s true age. If it does, the human infant will be returned. Heat and fire may also be effective.
