Adapted from thesundaytimes March 13,2005 L12 :-

Question:-Actress Zoe Tay's confinement practices were recently deemed old wives' tales.She insisted on not bathing,closing the bedroom windows and avoiding air-conditioning.Is this necessary for new mothers?

Information provided by Professors Yu Xue Ru and Tian Xiu Ying,TCM physicians.

It is no old wives' tale.Confinement practices are very important in Chinese tradition,but they are also rooted in TCM literature. 

After giving birth,the mother's body is very weak and her blood is poor.Her pores are also open.

As such,if she comes into contact with wind or water,the cold enters her sysytem easily and her whole body will be sore.In serious cases,this feeling can last 10 to 20 years after delivery.

It is not to say that you cannot clean yourself.You can wipe yourself down with a warm towel.

It could be something that affects the Chinese more.The confinement period usually lasts a month.

If you are interested to find out more about this Chinese tradition,other methods how to wash yourself without getting chilled and how to prepare confinement food that are nutrition,buy this book entitled "The Only Confinement Food Recipes You Need".Zoe Tay owned one too.

Question:-Is bathing fine during confinement period?

The practice of bathing is well documented in ancient Chinese medical annals in certain provinces of China, which have a hot climate similar to Singapore. New mothers are advised by hospitals to keep themselves clean and fresh. Mothers could take a bath using warm water instead of a cold shower. New mothers could use boiled water with lemon grass and other alternatives stated in “The Only Confinement Food Recipes You Need”. A mother need not forgo her bath for the sake of following traditional practice as these are common traditional practices among the Chinese and are not much different from modern practices. - Amy

Question:-Is it worth taking the time and effort to "sit the month"?

Ms Louisa Lim from BBC Beijing shared her experience here.You can also find out more from "The Only Confinement Food Recipes You Need" which condenses this ancient wisdom passed down from generation to generation,highlighting one very important aspect of this invaluable tradition.After having gone through the above article and book,you might realised taking the time and effort to "sit the month" may be a small price to pay to avoid possible serious health problems,which may plague a new mother later in her life. - Amy