Confinement is a period for your body to recuperate and recover from childbirth. The idea of confinement is familiar to Asians but foreign to Westerners. In the past when infant and maternal mortality rates were high, it was a practice to keep both baby and mother indoors during the period of confinement. This was meant to protect them from ill health.
By now, you may have been exposed to some of the practices or ideas from your parents. You may or may not agree with them but many of these have originated from our Asian culture and hence, possess no scientific basis at all. They range from the prohibition of certain daily tasks to the restriction of certain foods — with the strong belief that these practices can provide the mother adequate rest and replenishment during this period.
In China, they need purge out the "wind" in the body after delivery, promote "blood
circulation", strengthen the joints and promote milk supply,and they need avoid "cooling" foods.
Traditionally, they usea lot of ginger, wines and sesame oils in their diet. Common dishes include pigs' trotters cooked with ginger and vinegar, fish soup, chicken cooked in sesame oil and a traditional tonic brewed from 10 herbs. Fish soup boiled with papaya is believed to be beneficial for milk production.
It is also recommended that plain water consumption be avoided during this period to reduce the risk of water retention. Instead, specially prepared drinks from a mixture of herbs and preserved dates are recommended.
The basis for such practices is to protect the new mother from future ill health, restore her strength and protect the family from ritual pollution.
The Chinese believe in staying indoors throughout the confinement period to avoid outdoor pollution. Strenuous physical activities are discouraged to prevent further "muscle weakening".
Some hire a confinement nanny to help with the housework and caring for the baby.
Other practices may include:
• Not washing the body or hair during the month; especially avoiding contact with cold water.
• Not going outside for the entire month (or at least avoid wind).
• Not eating raw or "cooling" foods or foods cooked the previous day.
• Eat chicken, especially chicken cooked in sesame oil; pork liver and kidney are also good; eat five or six meals daily and rinse the rice bowl with scalding water.
• Avoid all wind, fans and air-conditioning.
• Avoid walking or moving about; the ideal is to lie on the back in bed.
• Do not go into another person's home.
• Do not get sick.
• Do not read or cry.
• Do not have sex.
• Do not eat with family members.
• Do not burn incense or visit a temple or altar.
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