Many mothers or mothers-to-be are often puzzled about the traditional confinement rules and taboos. Here we discuss the Top 4 Confinement Myths and provide further scientific reasonings and suggestions.
Confinement Myth #1 - To Bathe or Not to Bathe
New mothers are advised not to bathe or wash their hair for a month after childbirth to prevent catching a chill and suffer from rheumatism in later part of their lives. However, there is no scientific reasoning to this and it could also be due to the living conditions in ancient China whereby women had to fetch water from rivers to bathe.
Furthermore, in tropical country like Singapore, in order to observe good personal hygiene, bathing is necessary to prevent build up of germs and sweat or any infection. It is recommended to take warm baths and dry yourself quickly or take hot sponge bath to remain fresh and clean.
You wouldn’t want to be sweaty and smelly when breastfeeding your baby. New mothers should also be encouraged to wash their hair only when they are more stable on their feet after giving birth.
Confinement Myth#2 - Keeping Warm with Food and Alcohol
It is believed that alcohol promote blood circulation and warm the body. However, alcohol can be transmitted to the baby through breastfeeding and it is proven that drinking excessively during nursing may result in delay in development in the child.
Instead, have a healthy and balance diet to provide your body with the necessary nutrients. Recommend oatmeal, brown rice, wholemeal bread, plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and calcium-rich food. Gingers are also commonly used to get rid of ‘wind’ in the body as the stomach and bowels, which are compressed during pregnancy, are now expanded causing organs to swell up with air and fluid.
Confinement Myth #3 - Saying “NO” to Air Condition
Many believe that new mothers should not come in contact with direct wind and this is true as after childbirth, women tend to be weaker. To keep health and body in tip-top condition, new mothers should avoid receiving direct wind from fan or air-conditioner.
However, the room should be sufficiently ventilated with adequate lighting so as to feel comfortable. In fact, air conditionings are allowed but temperature should not be too low. It is recommended to keep temperature between 25oC – 27oC.
Confinement Myth #4 - Eight Glasses of Water Per Day, No?
It is believed that new mothers should not drink water during confinement as it may cause water retention in the body.
However, sufficient fluid is essential to replace the lost fluid produced during breastfeeding. It is usually recommended for new mothers to consume longan and red date tea but it may not be adequate.
Hence, do consume plenty of longan and red date tea but also not forgetting to have plain warm water at times as well.
Apart from knowing about the confinement myths, do not forget to spend quality bonding time with your newborn and enjoy your new stage of life – motherhood.
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Shud let the elderlys see tis!!!
When e elderly c tis, they wil say, ” these r craps, liars” My mil dun believe docs too…
Hey can I ask anyone heard of confinement food cannot add any salt or soya sauce??? I find it so ridiculous cos if the food is bland I dun even think I can sallow it… Eating enough is so impt after giving birth!!!
Low, my mom said cannot so salty but she did add a little salt or soya sauce when she cook for me.
Haha ya I think if totally no salt I will just die.. Understand why can’t be too salty cos water retention will be worst.. N not good for health lah.. But someone told me body will be in pain… I was like Hur???
I took my bath everyday with the confinement cleanser with warm/hot water and wash my hair every 4-5 days then blow dry immediately. I took a lot of ginger but not alcohol as I don’t want alcohol to pass into my baby when I bf. I used air-con and fan as I feel that in order to recover from childbirth, I need to feel comfortable. The only thing that makes me feel not comfortable about my confinements are I’m not allow to eat vege for the first 7-10 days and seldom get vege after that and I have to eat all meat and must finish it on the same day. It makes me constipated!
Nanny believe even washing face/brush teeth also need to use boiled cool water I/o tap water..???
I took a bath and washed hair less than a day after giving birth and used aircon as well.. Personally, I do not believe in these confinement myths at all.
Wat is the rational of direct wind? Cos I dun install air con in my house. And recently weather is hot n stuffy. If I dun use fan I tink I will go crazy
Ya!!!!! I also heard of people who dun eat vegetables for the first week!!! I was like, where are the nutrients den!??????? I think some I believe like no direct fan blowing on u n better to wear long pants if there’s aircon… Cos I wear shorts with air con… I really have knee pain for a few months… But no salt n veggies???? Haiz… Can somebody help our parents who actually cares understand???
I just ended my 2nd confinement last week. In my 1st confinement I followed through everything by bathing with only warm herbal water for 30days, not washing hair (but use dry shampoo), brush teeth n wash face with boiled water only, only drink red dates water, aircon at 25 degrees but for my recent confinement I only followed the bathing n no hair wash part (if not my MIL will kill me) but for brushing teeth n washing face I couldnt bother, I drank plain warm water n also my aircon was at 19 degrees this time.
These myths are for those ppl in china in olden days… i bf my son.. with the blood flowing out etc, i feel so dirty when i dun bathe or wash my hair… i felt as though my son was sucking the dirt of my body! hahaha.