10 Essentials of Indian confinement practices

How are Indian confinement practices different from the rest of the world? Let's examine...

Indian confinement

Years ago, when I first gave birth, I remember being so physically drained that I did not even have the energy to sit up, let alone take care of my baby! I was totally unprepared for my body’s refusal to co-operate with my demands.

My mum and relatives advised me to follow some traditional Indian confinement practices, which they said would help in the uterus getting back to shape and aid in my overall well being, plus provide ample milk for my baby.

Here are some Indian confinement practices that I found helpful. I have listed down inputs from some of my friends as well!

40 is the magic number

I followed a confinement period of 40 days. I am not sure about the significance of the number 40, but it might be because by this time breastfeeding would have been established and the mummy has gained enough energy and stamina for her daily activities. An old Indian saying even goes, "The first 40 days of life will impact the next 40 years of life."

The best part is that I got to lie down and take complete bed rest for 40 days, and didn’t have to do any household chores!"

Oil massage

Being perennially exhausted and sleepy, the daily extensive oil massage was not on my list of favourites at that point of time. However, there’s no denying that it is an unavoidable element of the Indian confinement. New mummies are given hot oil massages either by a family member or an experienced ‘maushi’ or ‘dai’. These massages are done with nurturing oils such as sesame, coconut etc.

This is how my cousin Seema Dilip describes her experience, "After 2-4 days of delivery, I was given a full body massage with a warm home-made oil consisting of sesame oil, turmeric paste, powdered fenugreek, etc. to stimulate blood circulation, soothe bones and the muscles and to help body cells and tissues heal faster. A little pressure was applied on my lower abdomen to push the uterus back. Soaps were not used to clear the oil. Instead, oil was cleared off with a cotton cloth dipped in very hot water."

Hot water baths

Part of my laziness for the oil massage could be attributed to what was soon to follow. Boiling hot water was poured on my lower abdomen and pelvic area. I remember screaming out loud when I first experienced it! But soon, I realised that I was healing faster and feeling a lot better after every bath. For other parts of the body though, warm water that has been boiled with neem leaves was used, neem leaves being a natural antiseptic. Lukewarm water soothes tired and aching muscles.

Belly binding

Everyday after bathing, my sagging tummy would be tied up tightly with a cotton sari or cloth. It is believed that this helps to push the uterus back and keeps it in place. Belly binding also helps to get rid of the stomach gas. It promotes healthy posture during breast feeding, and gently pushes the stomach muscles back together.

Belly binding is quite a process, but do remember that the sooner you do it after your delivery, the better your tummy would look in days to come.

Ayurveda tonics

I also drank some Ayurvedic tonics as part of my confinement. These tonics are believed to speed up the recuperation process for the mummy, sans any side effects.

So, I drank ‘kashayams’ to help in contraction of the uterus and pelvic area, and ‘arishtams’ to improve immunity and enhance the quality of breast milk, for about three months.

Diet - Garlic and Shallots

In my opinion, the Indian confinement diet is centred on two things- increasing the mummy’s milk supply for the baby and enhancing the mummy’s immunity. Garlic and shallots are major ingredients in this diet.

I would have milk with crushed garlic at least twice a day. Lunch would mostly be rice with shallots fried in ghee, and drumstick leaves. Quite yummy as well, I assure you!

Diet - Ghee and coconut

Time to gorge on some amazing ghee! And the best part is not feeling guilty about it, as it’s all for the baby’s good.

Ghee is increasingly being considered a super-food by the West these days. It has always been an integral part of the Indian cuisine. Ghee has a lot of good fat, which helps in strengthening the mummy's joints. Coconut is also a star ingredient and used in various forms, such as powder to make balls, or as milk to add to porridge.

Diet - Nuts and Spices

I still remember my gynaecologist telling me, "If you feel that your breast milk is dwindling, take more fenugreek." Fenugreek has been clinically proven to increase the breast milk supply. My friend Jabeen Sameer, vividly recalls having fenugreek balls with nuts, jaggery and grated coconut as part of her diet.

Another friend, Bindu Bhatt, had water boiled with carum seeds regularly. She also remembers having edible gum ladoos with lots of dry fruits, and dry coconut.

Almond is the nut of choice when it comes to the post partum Indian diet. Lastly, "Avoid chilly, use pepper instead", recommends kindergarten teacher, Jyoti Prashant.

Diet - Fish and Mutton

I remember sticking to vegetarian food during my confinement. For those looking for a non-vegetarian option in their Indian confinement diet, it’s usually oily fish and mutton soup, the former for increasing breast milk supply, and the latter for improving bone health.

Finally, if you ask me whether any of these confinement practices actually helped me, I would go with a "yes". From not being able to even sit up, I was able to walk around normally in about a month. I think my baby was also relieved to see a far more active mummy, producing lots of yummy milk for her. So I guess, my confinement did prepare me well enough for the hardships ahead.

Written by

Jaya

Indian confinement