In Scandinavian folklore, a myling (or uburd) is the ghost of an unbaptized or murdered child.
Etymology
"utburd" means "that which is taken outside," and this refers to the tradition of abandoning unwanted children (e.g. children born out of wedlock or to parents who lacked the means to care for them) in the woods or in other remote places, where death was almost certain to befall them.
Origin
It was believed that these child ghosts would then haunt the place where they had died, or, as told of in countless stories, the dwellings of their killers. These children were generally taken outside to die shortly after birth, and were not baptized and since they were not given a Christian burial, they could not go to Heaven but forced to roam the earth until they could persuade someone to bury them properly.
Behavior
Mylings were believed to be dangerous and seeking revenge . They would chase lone wanderers at night and jump on their backs, demanding to be carried to the graveyard so they could rest in hallowed ground. By a supernatural effect, mylings would grow heavier as they neared the graveyard to the point where the person carrying them would sink into the soil. If one should prove unable to carry an utburd to the cemetery, the ghost would kill its victim in rage.