Confinement

Confinement is the special period after the birth of your baby...

In the Asian Culture, new mums are considered “taboo” or “sensitive” immediately after birth. The elderly espouse certain traditions and remedies that new mums must endure to prevent future illnesses. One of the confinement rules for Asian mothers for example is the “no bathing policy” which is really the avoidance of contact with water. In particular the washing of one's hair is a strict no-no, as this is believed to cause migraines in the future.  Another is the compulsory diet of ginger and wine/Vinegar with every meal. In addition, new mothers cannot drink plain old water- instead they are to partake in a red date berry broth which is believed to replenish blood flow to the new mum. 

Each custom have their reasons of origin. The Elderly explain it in such a way that “bathing” or physical contact with water will cause arthritis in your joints in the future. Of course, this cannot be proven till we have reached old age, but they vow this is true. The diet of ginger and wine vinegar is to help the new mother increase her “Qi” or “Energy” by providing heat to her frail state. These foods will naturally increase the body temperature which is believed to help the new mother recover. 

The confinement period is 30-40 days after the birth of the baby. 

So kudos to mums who can follow this strict regime.

Of course, many Western values will find this custom quite barbaric and unhygienic to say the least. But I have been assured that presently, new mums who are following this tradition can enjoy the occasional bath, but the water is a special blend of herbs which include lemongrass, ginger and bitter melon leaves.  This herbal concoction is boiled for a couple of hours and the water strained for new mums to use to do a daily cleanse - albeit with a wash cloth. Sorry, no immersion in soaking tubs.  

There seems to be some credit to this theory as I remember feeling quite ill and sensitive to the cold after the birth of my baby.  Every little windy draft would send a chill up my spine and I felt inherently cold.  Is it due to blood loss? Are my pores open?  Whatever the reason, these herbal remedies may have some beneficial significance in the overall scheme of things.  In these modern times, it doesn't hurt to follow some of the customs long as you feel comfortable physically and emotionally.  Elderly Chinese women live very long lives with generally little discomfort of arthritis pain as compared to their Western counterparts, so their confinement customs may have some beneficial significance after all.