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Confinement Tips

New Mom, New You: Navigating Postpartum Recovery with Self-Care

Being a new mother is both an exciting and daunting experience. The physical and emotional hardships of postpartum recovery accompany the joy of welcoming your infant into the world. Understanding postpartum preparation can be beneficial to you as giving birth will be super challenging for a new mum.

In this writing, we will discuss the significance of self-care during postpartum recovery and provide new mothers tips on how to care for themselves physically and mentally. We will discuss everything from enough relaxation and sleep to a good diet and self-care. Additionally we will also share the need of seeking assistance and support from family, friends, and medical experts.

We want to assist new mothers in taking care of themselves and making a smooth transition into parenting. So let’s discover how to navigate postpartum with self-care!

Rest and recover

Rest and recuperation are crucial postpartum healing components. Your body has undergone much throughout pregnancy and delivery, and it needs enough rest and restoration.

Building a healthy routine such as doing specific exercises such as pelvic tilt, kegel exercise, and happy baby yoga pose is recommended if your health care provider has given the green light. 

There will be when you need others to assist you throughout your postpartum period, so it is always a good choice to get assistance from your family members or a postpartum doula. In addition, it is crucial to arrange a time for rest and sleep throughout the day. For instance, napping while the infant sleeps or spending a few moments relaxing.

New moms should avoid lifting heavy things and participating in intense activity until approved by their doctor.

Healthy Diet 

Dietary balance is crucial for postpartum healing. Your body needs appropriate nutrition to mend and recover after labour and, if desired, to support breastfeeding. So having to focus on getting foods high in nutrients, like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and healthy fats is recommended for your recovery.

According to the dietary recommendations, food such as vitamins and minerals, like iron, calcium, and vitamin D, will help to supply you with the needed nutrients that will help your body recover to your pink of health.

Confinement meals are particularly beneficial for postpartum recovery usually includes:

  • Leafy greens and other vegetables, which are abundant in iron, folate, and other vital elements.
  • Chicken, fish, and beans are high in lean proteins, which help to heal damaged tissue and encourage breastfeeding.
  • Whole grains like quinoa and brown rice offer energy and aid with blood sugar regulation.
  • Antioxidants and good fats are abundant in berries, nuts, and seeds.

Before deciding on your postpartum meal plan, we advise you to know your food restrictions or allergies you may have and to speak with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your diet. Alternatively, you may seek for maternity food consultation from us and we will do our best to delivery your meal accordingly.

Seek Help & Care for Mental Health

A woman may require several kinds of assistance during postpartum recovery, based on her particular requirements and circumstances. Some common types of help that may be needed include:

  • Physical aid may involve support with bathing, dressing, and getting about. Such as diapering, washing, and feeding infants.
  • Emotional support: After giving birth, many women feel a wide range of emotions, such as sadness, worry, and stress.
  • Regular check-ups with a healthcare practitioner to guarantee appropriate healing and to address any medical issues are examples of medical assistance.
  • Help with domestic duties such as cooking, cleaning, and washing may be provided.
  • Breastfeeding session: You may need to learn how to do breastfeed properly to avoid discomfort and complications.
  • Others support: Family members or husband play the role to ease up your challenge and to support you whenever needed. 

Rest assured, it is very normal for postpartum mum to ask for help whether it is from your friend or family members whenever you needed it. Additionally, don’t be shy to reach out to any postpartum support group whether it is from social media or your closest circle.

Dealing with postpartum might be tough for many new mothers but it is important to remember that experiencing such difficulties and challenges is nothing to be ashamed of.  It is very common for the majority of women will experience a roller coaster of emotions while in the postpartum period. To ease up, we suggest asking out for support from others be it in a form of communication or physical help. Be proud of yourself as a new mom, a new you. 

Conclusion

We hope this article has provided some insight on how to navigate yourself during your postpartum journey. If you wish to try out our confinement meals do speak with us today to find out more about our confinement food packages!

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Confinement Food

What To Eat & What To Avoid During Your Third Trimester

Eating well throughout your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. Meeting the recommended nutritional requirements is especially crucial during the third trimester for sufficient energy while providing all necessary nutrients to your growing child. However, knowing what to eat or avoid when you’re pregnant is also important. 

NouRiche is a leading provider of confinement meal deliveries in Singapore, and here’s the lowdown on the foods to eat and avoid during the final leg of your pregnancy. 

What to eat?

#1 Foods rich in iron

Insufficient consumption of iron may lead to anaemia. This is because during pregnancy, blood volume expands to accommodate the changes in one’s body. Additionally, your unborn baby will need to store adequate iron for the first six months of life before he or she starts taking in solid foods. 

Choose iron-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dried beans and fortified grains. The form of iron in meat products, called heme iron, is more easily absorbed than the iron in vegetables. For those who are anaemic, increasing meat consumption will be the easiest way to increase the iron your body receives.

#2 Foods rich in protein

Foods rich in protein-confinement food.in Singapore

Protein is crucial for your baby’s development throughout pregnancy and helps your baby’s body produce blood. Good sources of protein are lean meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, while vegetarian options include beans and peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products. 

#3 Foods rich in DHA

DHA-rich foods can help with growth of a baby’s brain. Pregnant women require about 200 milligrams of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) daily. To meet these requirements, consider including milk, eggs, and fruits in your confinement food.

Learn more: Confinement Food Singapore | How It Nourishes Your Body

#4 Folic acid 

Folate is a B vitamin that prevents problems with the developing brain and spinal cord. The synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods is known as folic acid, and has been shown to decrease the risk of premature birth on top of having a low birth weight baby. Get your sources of naturally occurring folate from dark green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and dried beans, peas and lentils.

#5 Calcium

Calcium-confinement food.in Singapore

Both mother and baby require calcium for strong bones and teeth. Additionally, calcium supports healthy functioning of the circulatory, muscular and nervous systems. Dairy products are great sources of calcium, while non dairy options include broccoli and kale. 

#6 Foods that are high in Vitamin C, B6 and B12

Vitamins C, B6 and B12 play a vital role in the development of a baby through the musculature and placental growth. These nutrients can be found in foods such as oranges, bananas, sweet lime, carrots, chickpeas, and almonds.

#7 Magnesium

Magnesium plays an important role in nerve and muscle function, on top of maintaining normal blood pressure. In addition, it helps your baby develop strong teeth and bones. Getting adequate magnesium during pregnancy has also shown to prevent preterm labour and other pregnancy complications. Go for foods like green leafy vegetables, bananas, legumes, avocados, dark chocolate, or raw unsalted nuts.

What to avoid?

#1 Avoid raw meats and vegetables

Avoid raw meats and vegetables-confinement food.in Singapore

Avoid raw meats and vegetables of any kind as such foods contain a variety of food-borne bacteria and viruses. Changes in your metabolism and circulation during pregnancy may increase the risk of bacterial food poisoning, and could result in more severe issues than if you were not pregnant.

#2 Spicy foods

Spicy foods can lead to indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy, and therefore should be avoided during the last trimester.

#3 Foods high in salt

High salt intake can lead to several concerns such as water retention or swelling of the legs for pregnant women. The issue of high blood pressure may also come up, causing potential health issues for the baby.

After birth

Preparing your own confinement meals during this period can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Hence, it’s best to engage a reliable confinement food caterer for nutritious pregnancy meal deliveries to boost your health and vitality. Apart from being guided by a professional dietitian to assist with your recovery, you can rest assured that your confinement food is not just nutritious, but delicious too. 

We hope this article has been beneficial in ensuring you and your baby are getting all the nutrition you need as you head into the final stages of your pregnancy.

Confinement meal delivery services have been gaining popularity among new mothers for its convenience. Searching for confinement meal deliveries? NouRiche takes pride in providing nutritious and tasty meals that all mothers are sure to enjoy. Reach out to our team today to find out more!

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Confinement Food

Confinement Food Recipes For Mothers

Confinement is a traditional Chinese practice in Singapore that is seen as an extremely important time for new mothers to recuperate their bodies after childbirth. During this period, mothers are advised to observe various routines that will aid their recovery. One of which would be taking in confinement food that are supposed to address the nutritional needs of the mother, with some even designed at boosting milk supply. This allows the new mother to get a much needed immunity boost and a quicker recovery from the delivery of her baby. As such, we’ve listed some recipes that will be helpful for mothers going through their confinement period. Read on to learn more about these recipes that are both healthy, and tasty.

#1 Sesame oil chicken 麻油鸡

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg4jUnio3z8

Sesame oil chicken is a popular confinement food among women during their confinement period. The recipe usually contains sesame oil, ginger and hard liquor because it is believed that “heaty” foods are beneficial for women recuperating from childbirth. While chicken needs no introduction as one of the best sources of protein, it is also able to promote heart health and boosts metabolism. A great source of vitamin E, this recipe is sure to leave you wanting more!

Ingredients

  • 300g chicken

  • 100g black sesame oil

  • 25g red dates

  • 25g wolfberries

  • 100g old ginger

  • 250ml rice wine

  • A pinch of salt

  • A pinch of sugar

Directions

  • Slice old ginger and add into a heated pot

  • Add in black sesame oil, saute till the edges of the ginger turns brown

  • Add in chicken

  • Add salt and sugar

  • Saute for 5 minutes

  • Add in rice wine

  • Add red dates and wolfberries, simmer for 15 minutes

  • Serve with hot rice

View full recipe here.

#2 Black vinegar pig trotters 猪脚醋

Source : https://youtu.be/qwTXFlvmvM0

A popular Cantonese dish for postnatal mothers during confinement, black vinegar pig’s trotters is a traditional confinement food believed to help replenish collagen, warm the womb and purge “wind” generated during childbirth. The gelatinous pig trotters in sweet black vinegar is a highly appetising and mouth watering dish that is now also commonly seen on the tables of many families.

Ingredients

  • 300g pig trotters

  • 100g old ginger

  • 100g rock sugar

  • 300g black vinegar

  • 10g black sesame oil

  • 2 eggs

Directions

  • Lightly blanch the pig’s trotters for 3-5 minutes

  • Wash the foam on the surface and set aside

  • Boil 2 eggs for 6 minutes, then peel and set aside

  • Smash large pieces of old ginger

  • In a heated pot, add in smashed old ginger and rock sugar

  • Add in black vinegar and saute until aroma is released

  • Add in blanched pig’s trotters, stir-fry until it has been well coated

  • Add hard boiled eggs and simmer for 45 minutes

  • Add in black sesame oil for seasoning

  • Serve with warm rice

View full recipe here.

#3 Nourishing cordyceps flower with threadfin fish soup 虫草花滋补午鱼汤

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZGQbQVsUTY

Cordyceps flower is a herb that helps to reduce fatigue, boost immunity, and is especially beneficial for a mother’s body after delivery. If you’re searching for nutritious confinement food to boost your stamina, look no further. This soup takes just one hour to simmer on low heat, making it so easy to prepare. A wholesome and nourishing meal best served with hot rice.

Ingredients

  • 20g cordyceps

  • 5g solomonseal rhizome

  • 10g codonopsis root

  • 5g astragalus root

  • 5g dioscorea

  • 3g wolfberry

  • 5g poria

  • 300g threadfish

  • 20g old ginger

  • 2 teaspoon rice wine

  • A pinch of salt

Directions

  • Slice old ginger into thin strips.

  • Lightly blanch the threadfin for 1 minute to remove fishy smells.

  • Run all herbs under running water gently to remove impurities.

  • Add washed herbs, rice wine, threadfin and ginger slices into boiling water.

  • Boil over low heat for an hour.

  • Add salt to taste.

View full recipe here.

We hope this article has provided you with some inspiration for tasty and nourishing meals during your confinement period. NouRiche understands the importance of good nutrition for new mothers. Browse our extensive confinement food menu, or reach out to learn more about our confinement food delivery services in Singapore today!

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Confinement Food Caterer

Debunking 5 Confinement Myths

For many generations, Chinese mothers have followed confinement practices that are deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. These practices are designed to help a new mother’s body heal and rest, as it is believed that large amounts of “Qi” and blood are lost during labour. Chinese culture recommends a month-long period of confinement after childbirth, including a modified diet of confinement food, and many rigorous practices intended to return a mother to full health. But what if we told you that while some of these traditional practices are helpful in the mother’s recovery, others are purely myths? Read on to discover if these practices hold any truth.

Myth 1: Do not drink plain water

Pouring purified plain water

Mothers need to stay adequately hydrated especially if they’re breastfeeding. A healthy adult needs 8 glasses of water a day on a normal basis. Breastfeeding mothers on the other hand, should take at least that amount plus a little more. For a new mother to meet her hydration needs, be sure to drink at least 1 glass of water after every breastfeeding session.

Myth 2: It is okay to drink alcohol

Alcohol is often used in TCM and Chinese confinement food to expel “wind” and promote blood circulation. But apart from that, new mothers should actually avoid large amounts of alcohol which can be very harmful for a breastfeeding baby, causing growth impairment and development.

Myth 3: Avoid washing of hair or showering

Ensuring a level of good personal hygiene after giving birth is of importance, and that certainly involves taking a shower. Besides maintaining personal comfort, regular bathing helps prevent skin and wound infections. However, the mother should dry her body thoroughly as it’s particularly important to keep the perineum area clean and dry to promote wound healing.

Myth 4: Do not use fans or air conditioning

Do not use fans or air conditioning confinement myth

A mother’s hormone levels change after childbirth as her body adjusts to post-pregnancy. These changes in hormone levels can directly cause a shift in body temperature. A new mother may also sweat more as her body helps to get rid of excess fluid. In Singapore’s hot climate, sweating at night can disrupt a mother’s sleep, causing irritability, and affecting her quality of life. As such, there is no harm in using the fan or air-conditioner as long as the temperature feels comfortable for her and her baby. In fact, having good airflow in the room prevents overheating, and may help to prevent heat rashes too.

Myth 5: Do not read or cry

Prolonged reading of fine print may cause eye strain for anyone, but apart from that, there is no evidence to suggest that reading can directly cause damage to the eyes of a new mother. That applies to crying as well. In fact, crying can be a helpful way of releasing some of the stress and emotions that come with being a new mother.

We hope this article has been helpful in debunking the myths that come with some of these common practices. Besides being on the right path to recovery, emphasis should also be placed on having confinement food with the right nutrients needed for a new mother; afterall, it is all the more necessary now for her to regain her strength and get a boost from her diet.

At NouRiche, we believe in the importance of providing mothers in Singapore with confinement food that is delicious and nutritious at the same time. Reach out to us if you’re looking for an experienced confinement food caterer, and learn about our extensive confinement food menu today!

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Confinement Foods

5 Ways Husbands Can Help Out During Confinement

Welcoming a newborn into the family is undoubtedly an exciting step for new parents. But the changes that come after pregnancy and childbirth can be overwhelming, and a new mother will need all the help she can get both physically and emotionally. Fulfilling duties as a new mother while still finding the time to take care of herself might seem impossible. NouRiche are experts at taking care of your confinement food menu, and we’ve come up with a list of ways husbands can help their wives out during her confinement period to make it a smoother transition.

Confinement food catering

To ensure new mothers get a nutritious and balanced diet during their confinement period, consider signing up for a confinement food package with a reliable confinement food caterer. These caterers have confinement food menus that are specially designed to strengthen the bodies of new mothers, ensuring they regain the energy needed to take care of their recovering bodies, and making sure having regular meals is still possible while caring for their newborn.

Offer emotional support

It’s critical for new mothers to get some nurturing in return as well after nurturing her newborn all day. Being at home with an infant can feel isolating, and it’s important for new mothers to know that they’re not alone. Simple things like phone calls, video calls, sending meal deliveries or small thoughtful gifts can be a bright spot on a hard day. Be sure to keep checking in and offering support even after the initial newborn days of motherhood. Assuring her that she’s doing a wonderful job can also do wonders for her mental health, and boost her confidence.

Keeping the house clean

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Helping with the household chores without being asked shows your wife that you’re in this together. One option to consider is using disposable plates and cutleries for the first few weeks with your newborn, which will in turn save you tons of time from washing dirty dishes. NouRiche is also able to provide confinement food delivery for added convenience during a mother’s confinement period. There’s so much to do with a new baby in the house, on top of all the other household chores. But with a little planning and communication, you can tackle the new responsibilities together.

Actively help with the baby

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Taking over the reins for a task such as changing a diaper, nighttime feeding, tells her that the parenting and household responsibilities don’t fall squarely on her shoulders. Being more involved with taking care of the baby can also help husbands develop a stronger bond with their newborn.

Manage visitors

Friends and family always mean well and are likely just eager to see your new bundle of joy. And truthfully, who can blame them? But setting some ground rules and healthy boundaries such as saying “no” to surprise visits, should mean people understand your wishes, helping to manage the expectations of visitors.

There’s only so much a new mother can handle with having to focus on taking care of her child, as well as her own recovery. NouRiche are committed to providing the best support with our selection of confinement food menus. Contact us to find out more!

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