Chinese confinement practices
by admin ~ February 1st, 2008. Filed under: Post natal.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Chinese confinement practices are one of those things that our moms and grandmas force it down our throats. I am the rebellious one who often argued with my mom because I hate all the restrictions. Things include :
1) No bathing for 12 days after birth
2) No exposing ourselves and we must wrapped ourselves including wear socks
3) No drinking of water except soups and special rice tea and dates tea
4) No climbing stairs
5) No vegetables and most foods
So, for the first two babies, it was a long struggle with my mom. Worst is my mom-in-law and meddling sis-in-laws. Of course, I hardly follow any of the above except what I enjoy. When my mom died, it was total freedom. When I had my fifth baby, I even bathed in the hospital, 3 days after my birth. Woo hoo! Total freedom.
Do I suffer any of those things they predicted? None? Because I stick to :
1) Don’t get any chills
2) Eat warm foods and those which expels wind
3) Don’t exert ourselves
4) Some foods like alcohol and certain vegetables can cause our blood thinner and are diuretic, so avoid those.
5) Remind myself that my grandma came from China where the climate is sub-zero during winter and hence, she could go for weeks without bathing.
So, should we follow the Chinese Confinement practices? Follow your instinct and your own body signals. That’s the best advice I can give. I have five births and I don’t get anything that gives me aches or pains because I listen to my body capability.
