History of Chinese Postpartum Meals

The tradition of yuezi is often passed down through generations, where grandmothers, mothers, aunts and cousins all come together to cook and care for the birthing person. Postpartum care takes a community, your village, and that's what I hope to provide for my clients. "No showers! Not allowed to leave the house! Wear a jacket and socks!" As a child, I would hear these prescriptions & I dreaded when it would be my turn. Scary as it was, what I took from it was the spirit of community care that was passed on. My mum, aunts & cousins taught me a lot of what I know. Each family does it differently and as a Singaporean-Chinese, my traditions may vary a little. I know understand better why the level of strictness in these traditions exist. Through deeper learning of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have a deeper understanding of how each external element affects the body and it's healing process.

I feel the spirits of my ancestors guiding and moving me when preparing dishes that have been cooked and eaten through generations. I know my dad is watching me when I prepare the chicken soup he laboured over for years. I also believe in finding a balance between traditions and the challenges of today's modern world. My joy is in offering the support that's needed, and encouraging all birthing people to see the yuezi period as a time of rest, bonding, and evolving in your journey as a parent.

Traditional Chinese postpartum care (also known as Confinement or Yuezi) focuses on Nourishment and Rest as the two most critical things needed to support the healing of a newly postpartum person. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that a birthing person has lost their Qi 气, or energy, and needs to replenish them to heal properly. Many of the dishes and meals are made with that in mind and are often considered "heating" or "warming" foods that encourage blood circulation, healing and increased energy within the birthing person.

Ginger, vinegar, Chinese rice wine & various herbs (ginseng, red dates, goji berries) are frequently used in the dishes as these are "hot" foods. Broths and teas are easy to consume and digest and are often required as a warming hydration. It is encouraged to consume your drinks warm or hot.

MEAL 1

• Apple Pie & date oatmeal
• San Bei Ji - 3 Cup Chicken (stewed chicken in sesame oil, soy sauce & rice wine, garlic, ginger)
• Ginger Fried Rice (simple rice dish cooked with ginger & eggs)
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin w/ Brewer's Yeast

MEAL 3

• Avocado Smash Egg Wrap
• ABC Soup (Chicken, Corn, Potato & Carrots)
• Fried fish with bok choy & rice vermicelli soup
• Dried Longan Red Date Tea

MEAL 5

Braised Pork Knuckles, simmered in ginger, vinegar and soy sauce

Steamed egg custard with cripsy pork

Mini-frittatas with filling of choice