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What Food to Avoid During Confinement

Do's and to do's of confinement during pregnancy. Asian Culture's biggest challenge.

By Hammad AbidPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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After giving birth, a period of confinement allows your body to rest and heal. Asians are very familiar with the concept of confinement. The majority of Asian enclosing beliefs and practices are cultural in nature, with little to no scientific evidence to back them up. The length of confinement varies by culture, with the Chinese being held for 30 days, the Malays for 44 days, and Indians for 40 days.

Most people, however, believe that these practices aid in the replenishment and recuperation of mothers following childbirth. Even if your parents and grandparents mean well, discuss your preferences with them.

Nutritional Demands

These techniques are used after delivery to clear the body of "wind," improve circulation, strengthen joints, and increase milk production.

Customs and Ways of Life in China

Popular Thai dishes include fish soup with papaya (which is said to aid in milk production) and sesame oil, sesame-crusted chicken, and a traditional tonic made from ten different herbs.

There will be no raw or previously cooked food

Stay away from plain water to reduce the risk of water retention. Drink herbal teas flavoured with preserved dates and other herbs instead.

Eat five to six meals per day, and wash your rice bowl with hot water to remove any leftover food particles.

Malaysian Customs Practices

To rebalance your body, you should eat a special diet that emphasises "heating" foods while avoiding "cooling" ones.

Because it is believed that labour opens the body's pores, a special drink known as jamu helps new mothers stay warm.

Indian Customs and Practices

  • People drink garlic milk to avoid "wind." Cucumbers, tomatoes, milk, and mutton are all "cooling" foods that should be avoided.
  • Chicken and shark meat are delicious when cooked with herbs; however, other seafood and chilli are strictly prohibited.
  • It is recommended to use a lot of fried garlic without using any oil.
  • There will be no hot or cold food or drinks available.

Other Common Techniques

By adhering to these customs, the new mother is protected from future illness, her strength is restored, and ritual pollution for her family is avoided.

Customs and Ways of Life in China

  • To avoid exposure to polluting elements such as pollution and wind, new mothers should stay indoors as much as possible.
  • Strenuous physical activity is discouraged to avoid further muscle fatigue.
  • Washing, especially in cold water, is not recommended. There is no washing. There is no washing.
  • It is recommended that you stay in bed and do not move.
  • There is no reading, sex, or crying allowed.
  • There will be no meals shared with your family members.
  • There is no incense to be burned, and no temple or altar visits are permitted.

Malaysian Customs

  • Both mother and child should be bathed in hot, herbal water as soon as possible after delivery.
  • A female masseuse has been hired to help the new mother regain her shape and get rid of the "wind" that is currently occupying her body. Tightly binding one's stomach (known as berbengkung) is said to help one stay in shape.
  • There will be no sexual interactions.
  • Indian Customs and Practices
  • You are not permitted to leave your home during the confinement period.
  • You can't go swimming if it's hot outside until noon or after two o'clock in the afternoon.
  • Every day, oil massages on the body are advised.
  • Only wash your hair on the third, fifth, seventh, and so on days during the first two weeks.
  • To keep the stomach in place, a six-foot (1.82-meter) long cloth is used.
  • There will be no sexual interactions.

A letter from your doctor: Asian cultures have long used strict confinement, but some of these methods may be obsolete and result in wound infection or episiotomy.

Foods To Avoid

We will experience changes in our gastrointestinal function after childbirth, so it is critical to maintain a healthy diet and avoid certain habits to keep things from worsening for mom.

Certain foods should be avoided at all costs during this time. Let's see what we can learn!

Keep 'cooling' foods to a minimum.

Some people believe that eating cold foods will make you sicker. In other words, while you're confined, avoid foods like radishes, pear, coconut, and watermelon. While confined, you should also avoid foods like Chinese cabbage and watercress.

Consume fewer cold foods and beverages

You should avoid eating or drinking anything cold for the rest of your pregnancy to compensate for the loss of energy and blood during childbirth. Make an effort to keep your food hot and warm rather than leaving it out for an extended period of time. Postpartum mothers should also avoid eating anything raw that may cause stomach upset.

Spicy foods should be avoided at all costs

Spicy foods can irritate your digestive system, causing bloating, cramping, and abdominal pain. If you're breastfeeding, avoid spicy foods because they can disrupt your milk supply and make your baby sick. You can use Confinement food delivery in Singapore and save yourself from the hustle.

Avoid eating anything that will be difficult to digest

In Chinese culture, glutinous rice and flour are considered starchy and thus more difficult to digest. As a result, indigestion is possible.

Limit your consumption of salty foods

Foods high in sodium should be avoided because they can cause water retention and thirst. Cured meats and processed foods like fermented beans and fermented plums are examples of these foods.

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