Why you should take plenty of soup during confinement

Soup during confinement

If you grew up in an Asian household, you might be familiar with the concept of postpartum confinement. You may have seen some of the women in your family or among your relatives being all wrapped up in thick clothes around the house after they have just welcomed a newborn in the family. That is what is generally known as the confinement period.

What Is Confinement For A Postpartum Mother?

Confinement is essential for a mother who has just given birth. During this time, the mother has lost a lot of energy following the flow of events from pregnancy to labour and delivery. It does not end here since you still have to breastfeed your child. All this can take a toll on a new mother, especially if you are trying to recover as well as take care of yourself and your newborn at the same time on your own. Therefore, Singaporeans have a tradition of confining the new mother for a month at home where caretakers help her take care of her child and restore her health.

A mother’s immune system is low during pregnancy and the first few weeks after giving birth. This means a slight exposure to any environmental elements, such as cold weather, could lead to diseases. Her uterus is also empty after delivery, leaving a space that can easily “catch the wind”, thus leading to difficulties in restoring her energy. Hence, the mother should stay indoors in addition to taking lots of herbal soups and teas to boost her immunity levels.

A mother has a special diet during confinement, which constitutes ‘warm foods,’ soups and herbs that keep her warm, restore lost blood, help her recover properly and boost her milk supply. The TCM’s herbal soups, especially, are specially crafted for expectant and new mothers based on the stage they are at to meet their needs accordingly. You might have been advised to take the common Chinese soup during pregnancy as well. 

Some postnatal caretakers may need to gain the necessary skills to make specialised confinement soups, but you can get many companies offering the best soup for confinement in Singapore. 

Certain Broths Have Healing Benefits

This should go without saying, but dishes become a lot better when you put all the right ingredients in them! Similarly, this is why a lot of soups like the Chinese confinement soup selections would use a lot of ingredients that possess abundant benefits, such as bone broth and black chicken soup. 

As a matter of fact, many people with joint pain and similar problems report positive benefits from having regular bone broth. From the perspective of TCM, the main advantages of bone broth are the increase in qi (blood yin essence). 

Bone broth is a great source of minerals and is good for bone health. The minerals and collagen that enter the bone broth have many nourishing benefits for the human body, and they are too numerous to list here.    

Although more research is needed to determine the health benefits of bone broth, its widespread and varied use around the world is evidence that it has many health benefits. 

Foods of traditional Chinese medicine are nutritious and healthy. You should consult your local traditional Chinese medicine doctor for advice on foods that fit your personal profile.    

Below are reasons why you should consider taking soup during confinement.

  • It Promotes the Production of Breast Milk

A lack of breast milk is a common problem for most new mothers, but did you know that consuming more soups can help in supporting milk production? Common soups such as papaya fish soup contain lactogenic ingredients like papaya, fenugreek and fennel seeds that may be able to stimulate higher production in milk for some mothers. Besides that, papaya fish soups are also rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and carotenes which are essential in playing its role in wound healing and recovery in mothers during postpartum.

Papaya fish soups

You can consider substituting the green papaya with vegetables in case you end up producing excessive milk to avoid breast engorgement. Of course, papaya is still our top recommendation! Aside from promoting milk production, papaya can stimulate smooth muscles that work to express breast milk

  • It Helps in the Recovery After Pregnancy

Child labour and delivery is a complicated process, and it may sometimes damage body tissues. Soups from good quality meat, for example, chicken or pork, can help in the healing of tissues that were destroyed during delivery. Mothers who have undergone a caesarean section may also enjoy plenty of soups especially if they are experiencing low appetite due to the pain during recovery. Besides that, soups are a great way to keep mothers hydrated and reduce their risk of constipation as much as possible.

  • It Strengthens the Mother’s Immune System

A mother loses a lot of blood and energy during childbirth leaving her susceptible to diseases, viral attacks and infections. A bowl of chicken soup will not only restore some warmth and energy in the body, but it also boosts the mother’s immunity. Additionally, most soups are gently simmered while cooking, making some of the nutrients more digestible and easily absorbed.

 Some people will use herbs while preparing soups that are ideal for strengthening the immune system while calcium from bones is also good for the mother and baby.

  • It Helps in Proper Blood Circulation in the Body

Traditionally, herbal soups are the best choice for a mother with blood circulation problems. Herbs present in the soups will also assist in the fast recovery of her uterus and cleansing of the blood. Most caregivers may need the necessary ingredients or expertise required to make herbal soup, but many companies can give you an affordable confinement soup package in Singapore. Remember some herbs can be toxic to the mother or the child thus the need to use them sparingly while preparing soups.

  • Increase Liquid Intake

Liquid intake is especially important at this time. You have to keep yourself hydrated at all times not only to improve circulation and promote good gut health but also to ensure a sufficient milk supply for your little one. Therefore, drinking a lot of water throughout the day is very much recommended for postpartum moms. Naturally, mothers would prefer to drink something that feels warm to their bodies, so soups are the next best option. 

  • Improve Digestive System

Apart from dehydration, poor gut health can also be linked to a lack of several nutrients. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is important not to eat too much (seventy-seven percent of your capacity) food at moderate temperatures to avoid overloading the digestive system. 

Did you know that the average newborn drinks around 40 to 90 ml of breastmilk a day? This is why, if you’re confined to bed recovering after childbirth, consuming a bowl of soup can be a great way to keep your energy levels up. The good thing about adding soup to your meal is that you’re actually increasing both your liquid and calorie intake. Plus, it’s a great source of different types of calories, which means you can be sure to stay energised and satisfied. 

  • It is Delicious!

Seriously, do you need another reason to love soups? They are not only nutritious, but they 

also provide warmth and comfort to you, which are things that everyone who is in the process of recovering needs. There are various soups that give you a feeling of homeliness, putting your mind at ease such as the classic chicken soup. A confinement chicken soup is often made with black chicken, but using the regular chicken is just as good and tasty — so the choice is up to your preference!

If you are looking for herbal soup delivery in Singapore to assist with your postpartum recovery, look no further! 

Ingredients Used In Confinement Soups

Confinement soups are simmered under low heat, making them more digestible and easy to absorb into the bloodstream and eventually into the baby’s milk. There are many ingredients used in the preparation of the traditional soups, with each of them playing a significant role in a new mother’s body based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. Here are a few of them that act as immunity boosters.

Red Dates

You will find red dates in almost every confinement meals Singapore. They are also used in making tea, which is given to the mother instead of taking water. Red dates are very rich in vitamin C, as well as minerals such as potassium. Traditionally,  dates are great immunity boosters and aid in the smooth circulation of blood in the body.

Ginger

Ginger is not only traditionally believed to be a powerful ingredient for driving “wind” out of the body but also strengthens the mother’s immune system. The warming herb also stimulates blood circulation in the body and keeps infections away from the mother. Therefore, a mother who suffered multiple tears or one who delivered through a caesarean section should choose a confinement meal package in Singapore that contains ginger.

Garlic

Garlic does not have a pleasant smell, but it has numerous health benefits. It has antioxidant and strong antimicrobial properties that help kill viruses and bacteria more readily than other ingredients found in most soups. This has made the ingredient more popular in preparing soups for most confined mothers in Singapore.

Mushrooms

Many companies offering confinement meals also provide mushroom broths combined with other herbs to make them more delicious. A new mother is believed to be able to produce adequate white blood cells in the body by consuming soup with mushrooms. White blood cells are the disease-fighting cells that will keep your immunity in check.

Summary

There are many types of soups that a caretaker can cook for a confined mother to increase milk supply and aid in her healing. You can combine these soups with other warming ingredients, such as ginger, black vinegar, and sesame oil, to keep the confined mother warm. All soups should be served warm or hot at all times to ensure safe conditions for the mother and child. Remember that you can always hire professionals to provide confinement soup packages in Singapore if you need a caregiver in the house.

At Tian Wei Signature, we include various nourishing herbal soups that can help boost your blood circulation and immunity, promote healing and bring health benefits for your optimal health. Our highly-favoured desserts that are part of our fusion meal sets also come in soups! 

Our meals are not only nutritious and balanced but are also crafted to fulfil the needs of breastfeeding mothers. With our very own in-house dietitian, we make sure that mothers only receive the best for their recovery and their newborns during the confinement period. Check out our menu to see the kind of soup for confinement you will get to enjoy and other dishes that’ll satisfy your palate!