Postnatal Confinement Period – Caring or Frustrating?

By Nandhini Devi

Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 15:33

The birth of a baby brings in proud and joyous moments in a woman's life. She is absolutely elated and wants to 'show-off' her beautiful baby to everyone. However, there are a few restrictions that are imposed on a new mother. Postnatal confinement is something that is followed in most countries, specially the Asian countries.

There are several myths surrounding the postnatal confinement period. But, modern day mothers want to break away from the rules of the postnatal confinement period. Though most of the restrictions induced during the postnatal period do not have a scientific base, they are certainly not causing any serious damage to the mother and child.

However, we cannot blindly follow every rule that is laid down. Let's have a look at a few postnatal confinement period do's and don'ts.

Don't: Touch water or open windows.
Do: You need water to keep the baby and yourself clean and tidy. What elders actually mean is, do not over indulge in work like washing clothes etc. Instead enjoy a good massage, it will ease the pain endured during labour. Give one to your baby too, it works as a natural sedative and he can enjoy a good sleep. Keep the windows open so there is fresh air for your baby.

Don't: Walk Around.
Do: Post-partum care does not mean you just have to sit in one place or just sleep. Try to do simple chores like arranging you baby's clothes and tidying the your room. Moving around too much will tire you. It will affect the milk supply. Another main reason is to help the mother and child bond better, since they are with each other together for longer durations.

Don't: Watch Television
Do: You will tell exactly the same thing to your child after a few years. So it is better to start practicing right now. Watching television will alter your mood. Since, you are already prone to mood swings, don't let any external factors cause any more changes. Instead, you can listen to gentle songs along with your baby, talk to her as much as possible. She will love to hear your voice.

Don't: Eat Anything & Everything
Do: Actually this is something everyone ought to follow. Post-partum care is all about taking excellent care about your health and yourself. So eating nutritious food that has been prepared freshly is mainly focused during the postnatal confinement period.

Have a look at some of the recommended foods that the new mother has to consume;

Vegetables and greens: Lauki, tori, fenugreek and dill help in increasing the milk production.
Ghee: Helps in strengthening the bones and muscles.
Hot water: Helps in digestion.
Pepper: Pepper is used to spice, as chillies are strong and might have an effect on the milk.
Paan: Having paan after a meal is good as it is a rich source of calcium and also helps in digestion.

A new mother needs complete rest to recover from the stress of labour – this is the main reason for postnatal confinement. Nowadays, this is not practically possible as most us leave away from families. However, following some of the traditional practices will certainly help us in the long run. After all you need to conserve your energy to look after your naughty little one in the future!