News of Kareena Kapoor Khan stepping out in style post delivery and slaying the mommy thing is making news and the topic of confinement period discussion came up in our KSP HQ as well! As mommies, we all have had the comfort of the confinement period that was originally designed to give the mom and the kid the much-needed rest, and we touched upon the topic of how it is not a custom followed in India alone.
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Confinement- An Asian Practice
I remember when I first arrived back from the hospital after my first child was born, I had everything planned because I know my mom wouldn’t let me step out of the house at all. I would laugh and call her thoughts archaic, while mommy dearest wouldn’t just give up too easily!
She was ready with the essential hot oils for massage, iron-rich foods and non-flatulent food items such as Bajra rotis, green vegetables, green garlic, bringaraj hair oils for my hair, ajwain water that would help cure my baby from colic when I was lactating and even a cotton saree that I had to tie around the waist!
Why confinement period? Does it help?
 
Image source: chinaismplified.com
There has been a lot of discussion on this topic amongst mommies and one common conclusion is that it is a necessary halt the mom needs to give herself and her busy, maddening routine to recuperate from the delivery. A new mom needs time to bond well with the baby, and the confinement period that focusses on ample body and mind rest helps achieve that.
Mei Leng Wong, Editor of BabyCenter Malaysia, has reportedly said, “The confinement period gave me time to learn about my babies and still know they were getting good care. I was stepping away from my old life and into the new, and the confinement period was a wonderful bridge between the two.â€_x009d_
As a person rooted in Indian culture, I definitely believe in ancient Indian wisdom and I do believe that the body needs to heal, and eventually stay away from an infection that could harm the new mom.
We asked Aloka Gambhir, Lactation Educator, Babywearing Enthusiasts and founder of WholesomeMamma.in about her take on the confinement period, and here’s what she said. “As a lactation educator I know that these 40 days of mom and baby being together all the time day and night, and skin to skin if possible are imperative to establish a full milk supply which will hold the mother in good stead for breastfeeding for 6 months and beyond if she wishes.
In my practice I urge expecting parents to mentally prepare themselves to slow down and try and spend as much time with the baby skin to skin, lying down with the baby, wearing, nursing or holding the baby as possible in the initial few weeks. I also believe childbirth is huge and not to be taken lightly and a mother does need that much time to recover.
Personally, I saw it as an absolute luxury to be taken care of that way and I was left with nothing to do but bond with my baby. But what I personally do not agree with, is it being forced upon moms. If a mother wants to go for a short walk wearing her baby, feels like stepping out for a bit without her baby, needs some space, etc then there should be no one forcing her to stay home in confinement. The fact that confinement feels so restrictive is because of the pressure to conform that no woman likes. If explained in a positive way and if the advantages of giving up on life outside and using that time as a luxurious bonding time with the baby is put across, most mothers will be happy to do this in my experience.”
Confinement centers
The effect of confinement period on the infection rate
More than just a tradition or an imposition from elders, the primary aspect of confinement period was to protect the new moms from postpartum infections and complications. Even in the case of a normal delivery, the body might need a healing time of 2-4 weeks before the mom can resume her regular (if not strainful) activities. Doctors suggest that in the event of a C-section, the body would need up to 6 weeks to get heal completely.
The confinement period does the body’s immunity a world of good and in turn, is known to help reduce the chances of the new mom and the baby getting infected.Â
And after 4 years, when I had baby no.2, did I follow the confinement period or was it the time to break free from the shackles? Break-free, yes, I did, when it came to certain extreme impositions such as no chatting, no outings with the husband and the no-touch rule. But majorly, I adhered to the confinement period and I must say, it did me a world of good.
As a mom to two kids, I ensured my time was well spent with both of them and that the elder one didn’t feel left out. I was only too happy to use my family’s help that indeed worked wonders with my body and mind. From all the wisdom perspective that helps heal the body, it’s a big yes from me.
What do you think about the confinement period? Do let us know in the comments below!
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Janani S Koushik
Kavita Devgan
Pooja Marathe
Rushita Sheth
KSP Team
