Myths of confinement and truth

1. Myth: New mothers must consume alcohol

Drinking alcoholic beverages or eating food cooked with alcohol is beneficial for the new mothers as alcohol improves blood circulation and warms up the body.

Truth: In traditional Chinese medicine, alcohol is used to expel cold and promotes blood circulation. This indeed can help new mothers to recover from birth delivery.

However, if new mothers are breastfeeding, alcohol should be avoided. This is because alcohol will be passed to the baby through breast milk, alcohol can have a negative impact on the healthy development of the baby. 

2. Myth: New mother should not drink plain water

It is believed that drinking plain water causes water retention or will cool down the body too much. This is undesirable during confinement.

Truth: There is no harm for new mothers to drink plain water. In fact, because new mothers tend to sweat heavily because of hormonal changes, new mothers actually have more reason to drink water and keep hydrated. Water can also help to prevent constipation during confinement.

However, new mothers should be encouraged to drink warm water instead of cold water. Cold water may cause discomfort in the stomach and digestive system.

3. Myth: New mothers should not shower or wash one’s hair

Contact with water is thought to cause “wind” to enter the body and lead to headaches and rheumatism later in life.

Truth: It is perfectly fine to continue one’s bathing habits. Besides maintaining personal comfort, regular bathing helps prevent skin and wound infections. However, the mother should not bathe with cold water. She should also dry her body immediately after bathing to prevent exposure to cold air.

New mother must also dry the genital area to prevent infection.

4. Myth: New mothers are advised not to cry or read during confinement.

Birth delivery is thought to weaken the liver, which is connected to the eyes. Therefore, new mothers should avoid putting stress on the eyes by reading or crying. Otherwise, new mothers may experience eye related problems later in life.

Truth: There is no scientific evidence that reading or crying would lead to eye problems. However, It is true that the large loss of blood during childbirth may weaken the eyes. This is because blood is related to the liver, which is associated with the eyes. Regular consumption of food which are good for liver would help maintain eye health.

New mothers are also advised not to spend too much time using mobile phones.

5. Myth: New mother must wear warm clothing and do not use fans and air-conditioning

Any exposure to cool air is said to cause “wind” to enter the body and lead to health problems later in life like rheumatism.

Truth: The new mother should wear cloth that makes herself comfortable. In our country, fans and air conditioners are actually essential for preventing heat rash and making us comfortable. However, the new mother should not let the fan or air-conditioner blow directly on her.

6. Myth: New mothers must consume sesame oil or traditional herbs to drive out the “wind”.

Truth:  there is no medical reasoning behind this recommendation. However, there is no harm in consuming these substances in moderation. 

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