It is common practice for Chinese mothers not to bathe or wash hair during confinement. It is thought that contact with water opens up our pores, causing "wind-cold" to enter the body. In the long run, these pathogens may accumulate in the body causing frequent headaches or even rheumatism.
You may shower, bathe or wash your hair at anytime after the birth of your baby. During your first six weeks, avoid strenuous work. You may choose to limit visits with family and friends during the first two weeks, as it may cause undue fatigue for you and could also be detrimental to your baby's health.
Traditional Views on Confinement Bathing
Strictly speaking, traditional confinement practices forbid bathing and the washing of hair. This is because bathing is thought to increase a mother's chances of catching a chill, leading to aches and pains all over her body.
Bathing, washing hair and going out are traditionally discouraged during confinement.
Adding blumea balsamifera or ginger and lemongrass in boiled water when taking bath or washing hair. These herbs are widely purchasable in confinement herbal bath packs.
Use an absorbent mattress protector or plastic sheet to keep the bed from getting wet. Fill the plastic bucket with warm water and place the patient's head gently in the basin. Scoop warm water to wet the hair and use a gentle shampoo to wash their hair! Rinse the hair completely and repeat the procedure if needed.
MINIMIZE WASHINGS. I shampoo and condition my hair no more than 2x/week. And ALWAYS use a conditioner after shampooing!
There is no evidence that hair color, hair products or hair treatments have any effect on a nursing mother's milk.
If you are still worried about catching a cold or facing sequelae in the later years in your life, here are some things you can take note of when you take a bath during the confinement period: shower with warm water, bath with herbs, close all windows in the room before taking a bath, and fully dry your hair ...
Poor hygiene or infrequent showers can cause a buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat on your skin. This can trigger acne, and possibly exacerbate conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Showering too little can also trigger an imbalance of good and bad bacteria on your skin.
While it's important to keep your incision site clean to prevent infection, you should avoid taking a bath or using a sitz bath until it's healed. Having a shower and simply letting the water and mild soap run over the incision area is enough to keep it clean.
Stabilized infant blood sugar
Bathing a baby too soon after birth can cause low blood sugar. Here's why: in the first few hours after birth, a baby has to adjust to life outside the uterus, including losing the placenta as a source of blood sugar. Bathing causes crying, stress and the release of stress hormones.
The risk of having a complication after delivery is highest during the first two weeks after delivery. But waiting will also give your body time to heal. In addition to postpartum discharge and vaginal tears, you might experience fatigue, vaginal dryness, pain and low sexual desire.
If you haven't already and you're feeling up for it, you should be able to resume a light workout schedule—think walks and stretches—about two weeks postpartum. Just remember to take it slow and avoid trying new things right now.
WHAT IS CHINESE CONFINEMENT? The term 坐月子 (zuo yue zi) or literally translated to “Sitting The Moon” means to allow postpartum mom to do nothing but to “sit” (rest) recover for one month after delivery. This practice has been around for thousands of years and it is still being practiced by most Chinese.
Women who are breastfeeding are recommended to limit alcohol to one drink or less per day and to wait at least 2 hours before breastfeeding. Frequent and excessive alcohol intake can reduce milk production and have serious effects on your baby.
We recommend limiting any drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, tea and cola to a maximum of two cups per day for the safety of your baby.
Avoid stairs and lifting until your doctor says these activities are OK. Don't take a bath or go swimming until the doctor says it's OK. Don't drive until your doctor says it's OK. Also wait until you can make sudden movements and wear a safety belt properly without discomfort.
As chocolate contains caffeine, having chocolate during confinement could cause insomnia, an elevated heartbeat and introduce 'wind' in the stomach. Furthermore, caffeine can end up in your breast milk and since your baby's digestive system is still weak, he/she may find it difficult to digest.
If you delivered vaginally, you may drive when you feel comfortable and have stopped taking pain medications. If you had a cesarean section, wait at least two weeks before driving. Sitz baths (warm, shallow baths), regular baths, and showers are safe after vaginal delivery and can help with discomfort.
Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.
To cleanse the area, use the "squirt" water bottle you got in the hospital. After you go to the bathroom, rinse from front to back with warm water. Continue these rinses for as long as you have vaginal bleeding. Pat (don't wipe) from front to back to dry.