China has a long-standing traditional practice called “sitting the month,” which occurs within the first month or 42 days after a woman gives birth. During this period, new mothers are required to rest at home, avoid going out into the wind, and experience the transition from being a woman to a mother both physically and mentally.
In recent years, increased international exchanges have made Chinese people aware that women in Western countries often resume activities the day after giving birth, leading to discussions on whether bathing and washing hair should be allowed during the sitting month.
According to traditional beliefs, sitting the month is seen as a necessary stage for women to recover physically and adjust mentally. The older generation often warns young mothers, “Not sitting the month properly may lead to future health issues,” thus this tradition has been passed down to this day. Considering that women tend to have colder body constitutions, avoiding bathing is to prevent the accumulation of cold dampness in the body to prevent future backaches and pains in old age. In reality, it is not completely forbidden to bathe scientifically during the sitting month. Bathing with proper warmth not only cleanses the body but also promotes blood circulation, accelerates metabolism, which is crucial for situations like excessive postpartum sweating and lochia discharge.
As for the appropriate timing for postpartum bathing, women who have had natural childbirth tend to recover faster and could do simple cleaning on the same day, and consider bathing and washing hair after four to five days. However, it depends on individual body conditions, and in case of any childbirth complications, immediate consultation with a doctor is recommended. In contrast, mothers who undergo cesarean section have a longer recovery period and should avoid bathing initially. Approximately ten days after the wound has started healing, mild cleansing can be done, and the first hair wash is recommended around a week after giving birth, but not too early.
During the sitting month, bathing should be done with the following considerations: – Initial bathing should be kept within 5 minutes to avoid exhausting oneself. – The water temperature should be moderate, extremes of hot or cold might not be suitable for the body. – After bathing, dry the body promptly, stay warm, and prevent catching a cold. – Use shampoo containing ginger extracts when washing hair to help ward off the cold.
With the above guidance, new mothers can maintain hygiene and ensure their health and safety during the sitting month.
