In traditional Chinese medicine,
a woman’s body is most vulnerable to different ailments after childbirth as it
loses a large amount of blood and Qi. Newly mothers in Singapore usually take a
month long time off from work and just rest during this period. In addition,
they also consume confinement food in
Singapore to help them recover quickly. A modified diet is intended to
return the mother’s balance and restore full health. While certain confinement
practices are common, there exist some myths about the confinement period
specifically the food.
When following this tradition, it
pays to acquaint yourself with the truths and myths. You can just do something
blindly - not knowing which are true and are just myths. Here are five common
myths surrounding confinement.
Myth #1: Don’t
drink plain water
Some people believe that newly mothers should not drink plain water.
This myth comes from the belief that taking plain water causes water retention
or will cool down the mother’s body too much. While there’s nothing wrong with
drinking other types of water, taking plain water will do no harm to the body.
In fact, since new mothers will likely sweat heavily due to hormonal changes,
they have more reasons to drink water and keep their body hydrated. However,
new mothers are highly encouraged to drink warm water rather than cold water.
Myth #2:
Confinement dishes should be made of heat food
During confinement, new mothers should only consume confinement meals
made of heat foods. Confinement dishes are specially made for newly mothers to
help regain their strength and overall health. Traditionally, confinement dishes
are made of heating ingredients, such as old ginger, wine, sesame oil, black
vinegar, meat, etc. While these kinds of ingredients are good for the body, the
menu should also comprise of a balanced diet. Whatever the mother eats, the
baby will get. The baby’s vital organs are still growing and they require a
constant supply of nutrition. Hence, mothers should have a proper diet, which
they can get from confinement herbs
and other nutritious foods.
Myth #3: Consume
alcohol
A mother’s body is cold after losing blood and alcohol can warm it up.
Drinking alcoholic beverage or consuming food cooked with alcohol is thought to
improve blood circulation and can warm up the body. In many confinement foods
in Singapore, alcohol is an important ingredient.
It is correct that alcohol is used in some TCM clinic to promote circulation and expel cold.
However, new mothers should never consider taking alcoholic beverage as part of
their recovery diet. In fact, nursing mothers must avoid drinking alcohol since
it can be passed on to the baby through breast milk.
Myth #4: Take
plenty of herbal supplements
Since childbirth is thought to drain a woman’s Qi, new mothers are
recommended to stock up on specific herbal soups and dishes to help boost blood
circulation and energy. Many people believed that the more herbal supplements
included in the confinement diet, the better to speed up the recovery. However, it should be kept in mind that every
woman’s health profile is different. Some women may
benefit from the same remedies that help other mothers while others may not. It
is better to visit a trusted women clinic Singapore and consult a qualified TCM physician for a personalised treatment and advice.
