After giving birth, new mothers are relatively weak, especially those who have had a caesarean section need to pay special attention to the abdominal incision to prevent infection. Therefore, taking a bath immediately after childbirth is not recommended. So, when is it safe to bathe after giving birth?
In traditional beliefs, the older generation emphasizes avoiding bathing after childbirth, fearing that it may cause “catching a cold,” leading to long-term health issues like headaches and body aches. This concern mainly stems from the past when there was a lack of convenient hot water supply, and using cold water for bathing could make postpartum women with weakened constitution feel cold. Today, with improved living conditions, warm and hot water is readily available, heating facilities are adequate, as long as the bathing environment is kept warm to avoid getting cold, moderate hygiene is actually beneficial for postpartum recovery.
It is recommended to wait at least two weeks after childbirth before considering bathing to prevent getting cold before the body has fully recovered. Starting from the third week, you can try bathing with ginger boiled water, with water temperature between 34 to 36 degrees Celsius, room temperature around 20 degrees Celsius, limit bathing time to within 10 minutes, quickly dry the body, wear warm clothing to avoid catching a cold. After the postpartum month, if the body condition permits, you can take a bath.
If cleaning is needed in the early postpartum period, you can use sun-dried ginger peel boiled water for bathing after the third week, this method is also recommended by traditional Chinese medicine as ginger has the property of dispelling cold. To ensure a sufficient supply of ginger peel, it is recommended to prepare in advance during pregnancy. If you find this method cumbersome, lemongrass is also a good choice, as it also has the effect of dispelling wind, a traditional practice of Hakka people.
In conclusion, postpartum bathing should be gradual, adjust according to personal recovery situation, ensuring safety and comfort.
