Confinement is a time of healing, strengthening and preparing the body for life after childbirth. Taking certain foods and tonics during this time is thought to ensure health throughout your lifetime. The first 30 to 40 days after you give birth is the period where you are confined to a certain regimen comprised of nutritious diet, to-do’s and not-to-do’s, and lots of rest.
Confinement myths
- I am not allowed to bathe or touch water for fear of 'wind' entering the body
- I must consume plenty of wine, sesame oil and traditional herbs to drive out the ‘wind’
- I cannot drink plain water at all during confinement
- I have been told not to read or cry
Confinement facts
- There is no basis to these beliefs. In fact, bathing regularly ensures good personal hygiene and comfort. It reduces the incidence of skin and wound infections. On a personal note, it certainly ensures that the people around you find you more bearable.
- There is no medical reasoning behind this recommendation. In moderation, there is no harm in consuming these substances. However, when taken in excessive amounts, they may affect you and your baby adversely. Furthermore, there are various substances present in the herbs that we are not fully aware of. Alcohol and other organic substances might go into your breast milk, and when breastfeeding, these might be transferred to your baby. These substances may affect the liver and worsen jaundice in the newborn if it is already present.
- Adequate fluid consumption is advised especially if the mother is breastfeeding. The kidneys will produce more urine in the first few weeks after the baby is born to remove the excess fluid that has accumulated during the course of the pregnancy.
- The traditional belief is that this causes eye problems later in life, which has no scientific basis.
Much as there is no basis nor medical reasoning behind, I followed through the above myths for the 28 days of confinement as per advised by my mum. It was a great feat that I only wiped down and brushed teeth with boiled warm water mixed with Martel everyday, very much explained why I stepped out of the house only 4 times during the period. Washing of baby essentials, pump accessories and dishes after meals were also done by my parents or hubby. Meals comprises of dishes cooked with wine, sesame oil and/or ginger. As I was breastfeeding, tried as much as possible to pump before eating, else I would wait for at least 3 hours after meal to pump. From week 2 onwards, I also drank a shot of Benedictine D.O.M. after my last pump in the night, the next pump would be 4-6 hours after. To avoid plain water is probably the least of my worry, daily beverages are longan red date drink, 3-4 servings of 400-500ml and Milo - 1-2 servings of 300ml. The first week at home after delivery was bad as I practically could not control my tears, mum and hubby asked what was bothering me and I could not give any specific cause. Thank god this lasted for only a week and I believe the uncontrollable outburst was due to changing hormones.
Good foods for new mothers and everyone else in the family
- Angelica (dang gui) to enhance blood circulation
- Black fungus to cleanse the arteries
- Black vinegar to purify the blood
- Chinese wolfberry to nourish liver, kidneys and eyes
- Dark-coloured beans for being rich in fibre and folate
- Dried longan to promote restful sleep
- Eggs to nourish the body and complexion
- Old ginger to warm the body
- Red dates to improve energy and calm the mind
- Sesame oil for being rich in vitamin E, iron and calcium
Thank you mum for helping to cook, wash and take care of baby Keith. 辛苦你了! Appreciate both mum and dad for sacrificing the master bedroom and bed
to us for the month. Thank you hubby for staying with me throughout the
tough times and for putting up with my tantrums and temper.
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| vegetarian confinement food =) |
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| Benedictine D.O.M. |
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| concoction for my bath water on the last day of confinement |
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| 外公外婆 with baby Keith before his 1st hair cut |
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