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CONFINEMENT CHRONICLES • Michelle Chui
Discover our new limited series, the Confinement Series where we share the experience of mothers who practiced varied forms of Chinese Confinement. Whether it is within a postpartum care centre or in the comfort of their own home with the support of family, this series will spotlight how these new mothers draw on the concept of 'Sitting the Month'. Through the experiences of these women, we highlight the importance of our postpartum care pillars while practicing confinement:
Ritual and Celebrate
Rest and Retreat
Nourish and Restore
Support
Empower and Enlighten
How were you supported by your loved ones (partner, immediate family, extended family, friends)?
My husband has always been very hands-on and supportive. With my second pregnancy especially, he managed most of the toddler care - doing daycare drop-offs and pick-ups, keeping our older child entertained and looking after bedtime routines - so that I could focus on myself and the newborn. He also took care of errands like stocking up on baby supplies and household needs. Knowing that he had everything under control with our toddler made a huge difference in allowing me to rest and recover.
We’re also very lucky to live close to both my parents and my in-laws, so we had support from both sets of grandparents. They helped with things like grocery runs and errands so that the confinement nanny could focus fully on caring for me and the baby.
On top of this, we made the decision to hire a confinement nanny to stay with us for the first two months, which gave us professional and round-the-clock support.
What did you find most valuable about the confinement experience?
I had confinement care for both my first and second babies.
I had confinement care for both my first and second babies.
- With my first, it was invaluable because I learned so much as a brand-new mum: everything from baby care to practical product recommendations to setting up my room efficiently for baby care.
- With my second, the value was different. Having the nanny there allowed me to truly rest and focus on recovery while my husband managed our toddler. It gave me the breathing space to transition into life with two children and to spend quality time bonding with both.
Both experiences were deeply valuable but in different ways depending on the stage of motherhood I was in.
Did you receive any paid help?
Yes, we hired a confinement nanny.
Can you share some pros and cons of your home confinement and being cared for by a family member/confinement nanny?
Pros:
- Round-the-clock support from someone experienced in postpartum and newborn care.
- Guidance and reassurance as a new mum, especially with hands-on baby care.
- Time to rest and recover physically, emotionally, and mentally.
- Nutritious meals tailored for postpartum healing.
- A smoother transition into motherhood (especially helpful with a toddler at home the second time).
Cons:
- Having someone live in the house can feel like a loss of privacy.
- Some traditional methods (like using lots of blankets or overdressing the baby) can feel different from Western practices. It took some adjustment but we eventually found a balance between East and West.
- Sometimes it can feel like you don’t get enough alone time with your baby, but this can be managed by communicating openly with your nanny about organising more bonding time. If you are breastfeeding directly, this usually isn’t an issue since you naturally spend plenty of time with your baby.
What food were you fed?
During confinement, the focus was on clean and nourishing meals to support recovery. The foundation was always herbal soups and teas, often made with Chinese herbs such as red dates, goji berries, angelica root (dang gui) and dried longan. These herbs were added to broths and dishes to help with blood circulation, boost energy and support milk production.
Meals typically followed this pattern:
- Breakfast: congee, eggs, oats, and vegetables.
- Lunch & Dinner: rice or noodles with three dishes, usually a protein, vegetables, and a nourishing soup.
Cooking methods were simple and light: steaming, boiling, or gentle stir-frying. Nothing was deep-fried, greasy, or overly heavy.
This type of diet really supported my recovery, and I felt the difference in my energy levels and digestion.
Were there any rules/myths that you observed throughout your confinement?
The most important principle was to keep warm, avoid wind and stay indoors, since the postpartum body is considered fragile. I stayed home for the first month, took daily ginger baths and only washed my hair 1–2 times per week. Some older traditions (like not washing your hair at all for a month) can sound extreme or even bizarre today, but my nanny reassured me that using ginger water and blow-drying completely was fine.
The most important principle was to keep warm, avoid wind and stay indoors, since the postpartum body is considered fragile. I stayed home for the first month, took daily ginger baths and only washed my hair 1–2 times per week. Some older traditions (like not washing your hair at all for a month) can sound extreme or even bizarre today, but my nanny reassured me that using ginger water and blow-drying completely was fine.
Diet was another key rule: eating healthy, warming foods to support recovery. I followed this mostly, enjoying nutritious meals and soups.
I also saw why some traditions exist. For example, when I went out underdressed one day before the end of confinement, I caught a chill and got quite sick, which reminded me to respect the principle of keeping warm.
I did relax some rules: I had visitors, watched a lot of TV and occasionally snuck in sushi, milk tea or maccas.
Overall, I found a balance between traditional practices and modern convenience, doing what felt safe, practical and supportive for both me and the baby.
Were you surprised by anything from your confinement period?
Not really, because I grew up familiar with the concept, both my family and my husband’s family are from Hong Kong, so confinement has always been part of our culture.
What I did notice was how much difference it made to my postpartum journey compared to my friends who didn’t do confinement. Having that support made the transition smoother, less overwhelming and more positive for me.
How did you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally?
Physically, emotionally, and mentally, I felt well-supported.
- As a first-time mum, having a nanny helped me avoid the isolation many new mums feel. Her guidance and experience made me feel safe and reassured.
- As a second-time mum, the help was just as valuable, especially because it gave me time to rest while my husband and nanny helped balance toddler and baby care.
Were you well prepared for your postpartum?
Yes, especially the second time around. I knew what to expect in terms of the baby’s needs and the physical and emotional demands of postpartum recovery.
What would you do differently next time / advise another first-time mum about postpartum?
My biggest advice is to invest in help. It doesn’t have to be a confinement nanny if that’s not accessible or affordable, but having some form of support is key.
Each postpartum journey is different, but preparing for your own recovery is just as important as preparing for your baby. If you take care of your body and mind, you’ll have the strength to look after your baby in the long run.
Did you seek any support from people outside your family?
Yes. We had the usual baby clinic nurses and our GP but the confinement nanny was the most impactful.
I also leaned heavily on a group of mum friends, our daily WhatsApp chats were like a lifeline. If you don’t have a group like that, I recommend joining local baby classes (like baby sensory) to meet other mums and build your own support network.
List out any positives and negatives you felt from your confinement period.
Same as the pros and cons listed above.
How did you feel coming out of confinement?
With my first baby, I didn’t feel overwhelmed during confinement itself, but the day my nanny left, reality hit. My husband went back to work and suddenly I was alone all day with the baby. I remember texting him constantly and waiting for him to come home, it felt scary and isolating. But because I had spent two months learning skills and gaining confidence, I managed. The first day was hard but I realised I was capable.
It wasn’t until about month 4–5 that I truly felt confident. By then, my baby was more interactive, I had established my own routines and I started going out more and meeting other mums. That’s when I really felt like I had stepped out of the postpartum bubble and into myself again.
With my second baby, I expect a similar adjustment, but I know what to expect this time which makes me feel more confident. I'm already planning my outing to the zoo with my husband, toddler and newborn next week. We are ready to be out of confinement!
See Instagram post here.