Many new mothers have doubts about whether they can wash their hair during the postpartum confinement period. The older generation often advises against washing hair during this time, fearing that doing so may cause catching a cold or headaches. However, the opinion of modern obstetricians and gynecologists is that it is okay to wash hair during the postpartum confinement, as long as attention is paid to the method. It is recommended to use boiled water with ginger peel or lemongrass to wash the hair, which helps dispel the cold in the body and protect the body.
The new generation of mothers find it difficult to accept the traditional custom of not washing hair during the confinement period, especially in the summer when not bathing for a long time makes many mothers uncomfortable. In fact, with the improvement of living conditions, as long as the room temperature is suitable and based on individual constitution, it is possible to consider washing hair appropriately around one week after giving birth.
Traditionally, washing hair during the confinement period was prohibited mainly because of the limited household environmental conditions in the past, where washing hair might lead to catching a cold and even confinement illness. In addition, the water used in the past was often unpurified, directly taken from rivers or wells, containing a lot of bacteria and parasites, which was harmful to health. Moreover, there was indeed a risk of catching a cold during the hair-washing process. Considering that the mother needs to take care of the newborn, catching a cold could potentially affect the baby’s health, thus leading to such taboos.
In conclusion, with the improvement of living conditions in modern society and the enhancement of personal hygiene awareness, as long as warmth is ensured and no cold is caught, washing hair in a timely manner after childbirth is acceptable and there is no need to overly adhere to traditional taboos.
