Introduction
The importance of a confinement period cannot be emphasized. When a woman gives birth, she loses a huge amount of blood, which causes her body to become frigid. This is why the month-long confinement period is recommended for a woman. Women are supposed to rest, eat and bond with their babies during this period.
There are numerous myths regarding the confinement period that we should not follow blindly without verifying the facts. In this post, we will clarify a few myths about confinement practices.
Myths About Common Confinement Practices
Do Not Drink Plain Water
Some people believe that drinking plain water can cause retention, leading the body to chill down even more. However, the truth is totally different. Drinking plain water does not cause any harm to the body. A new mother should actually drink more water than usual because the hormonal changes in their body induce excessive sweating. Therefore, to avoid dehydration, mothers are encouraged to drink more water, but it should be warm water.
Drinking Alcohol is Encouraged
Although drinking alcohol helps in blood circulation, thus warming up the mother’s bodies, it is not recommended to do so during confinement period. This will put your baby’s life in a high risk because the alcohol can pass on to your baby through breast milk.
Do Not Wash Your Hair or Even Shower
There are certain beliefs claim that mothers will experience headaches and rheumatism later in life if they contact with water during confinement period whereas the water will allow the wind to enter the body. However, the fact is the mothers should maintain normal bathing practices at all times.
Bathing on a regular basis will help to prevent skin infections and heal wounds rapidly. Just remember that you must avoid bathing in cold water.
Consume Herbal Supplements
Even though there is no risk in consuming herbal supplements but each woman’s body profile is different from the other. It is recommended to always seek for advice from the doctor before consuming any herbal supplements.
However, all new mothers must avoid taking foods that have cooling properties because such foods can cause the risk of damage to the spleen and stomach.
Do Not Cry or Read
Giving birth to a child is thought to cause the liver to become weak and directly effecting one’s eyes. This is why the myth that one should avoid straining their eyes by crying or reading began. Or else, the mother may develop vision problems in the future.
It is true that there is a huge loss of blood during childbirth which may weaken the eyes because blood is directly linked to the liver, which is then associated with our eyes. However, there is no scientific basis on this myth, therefore it still remains incorrect.
Wear Warm Clothes and Avoid Air-Conditioner
As previously said, chilly air permits ‘wind’ to enter the body, which might lead to serious health problems in the future. However, this is not a fact. The new mother should do whatever that makes her feel comfortable.
You’ll always need some ventilation when it’s hot and stuffy, whether it’s from a fan or air-conditioner. Furthermore, it’s important to prevent heat rash. Just make sure that neither of the two blows directly on her.
Conclusion
Mothers could hear a lot of uncertain myths from people of surrounding and get confusing, especially new mothers. A professionally-trained confinement nanny could help to solve your uncertainties and give you the best advice based on their knowledge and experiences.