Categories
Confinement Tips

The Benefit of Postpartum Massage

You are tired and fatigue surrounds you. You want something to alleviate your pain after giving birth. This is where postpartum massage comes in.

What exactly is a postnatal massage?

You might be wondering what exactly postnatal massage is. To put it simply, it’s a specific type of post-pregnancy massage you should get after giving birth. The typical benefits you’ve received from it are meant to provide both mental relaxation and other benefits. Continue reading to learn how postpartum massage can help you and what to expect.

What are the benefits of a postpartum massage?

The definition of postpartum massage may sound like generic massage terms but receiving one can make a difference to your body, light up the good mood within you and speed up your healing as well.

The very basic foundation of a postpartum massage is often associated with a regular body massage. Generally, postpartum massage is safe for every mother out there. A woman who receives a body massage after giving birth is highly likely to notice differences before and after the massage session be on their mood or their body.

Getting started with postpartum massage.

If you are wondering whether the massage is safe to perform on a mother who went for cesarean delivery – well our best advice is to seek consultations from your doctor and massage therapist on what works best for your body. Usually, the therapist will advise you not to proceed with the massage if you had surgery in the last 6 weeks. 

If you were experiencing a blood clot during your pregnancy, it was highly likely that your doctor advised you not to proceed with the massage. Hence, before making an appointment with the massage therapist, it is best to get a consultation from your doctor to determine whether it is safe to proceed or not.

Below are the general benefits of postpartum massage:

  • Alleviate pain
  • Reduce stress levels

When the general idea of getting a massage is to reduce pain, stress, muscle relaxation and flushing out the toxins,  mothers will benefit more from this. As such:

  • Reduce Swelling. Many mothers experience swelling during delivery. Massage can promote the circulation of water within the body and promote the drainage and circulation of surplus fluids.
  • Improve milk production. Breast rubbing is usually included in postnatal massages. This helps the mother relax, opening up and unclogging her ducts and boosting the flow and production of milk.
  • Hormone regulation. A woman’s body experiences rapid hormonal shifts after giving birth. As a result, in addition to physical contact, particularly touching, various types of massages include the use of essential oils, which have the potential to improve an individual’s mood and promote hormonal balance.
  • Lessen anxiety and depression. Unsurprisingly, giving birth has a psychological impact. After all, pregnancy creates hormonal imbalances as well as an increase in the “stress hormone” cortisol. These massages assist new mothers in calming and soothing, lowering cortisol levels and increasing mental well-being. Postpartum depression affects a lot of new parents. Stress can contribute to these anxious and depressing feelings, therefore getting a massage can help alleviate stress. 
  • Better sleep. Postpartum depression affects a lot of new parents. Stress can contribute to these anxious and depressing feelings, therefore getting a massage can help alleviate stress.

These are the variation of Postpartum Massage you may try:

TCM massage is an abbreviation of Traditional Chinese Medicine massage.  Acupoint methods and herbs are mixed in this post-pregnancy massage to ease muscular tension and improve blood flow. The treatment includes a massage, a belly band, and food recommendations.

Jamu postnatal massage originated in Southeast Asia and is named after a herbal concoction used during the massage. This combination is good for new mothers because it comprises all-natural ingredients with medicinal properties. The massage also involves head and breast massages to help with migraines and lactation. The massage also includes a Jamu wrap, in which the mother’s stomach is wrapped in fabric from the ribs to the hips to tone the abdominal skin and realign the spine.

Swedish massages are particularly beneficial for new mothers. This style of massage employs long strokes and kneading to tone the muscles and relieve tension. The vigorous strokes of this postnatal massage promote blood circulation and muscle contraction, which aids in the elimination of toxins.

Conclusion

We’ve known for a long time that human touch can be powerful, and postpartum massage uses the benefits of touch to help women heal after giving birth.

There are many good things about getting a massage after giving birth. They can help control hormones, produce more milk, and reduce swelling. Since postpartum massage is important, you might not want to skip it. Having one massage is sufficient for the first 12 weeks after giving birth. Nevertheless, check with your doctor or healthcare professional before you start a massage therapy routine to make sure your body is healthy enough.

How often you get a massage is up to you and will depend on your budget, how occupied you are, and your preferences. There isn’t one right answer.  You could also ask your partner to massage you at home. No matter how you choose to use massage to heal after giving birth, the benefits will help you get used to your new life with your baby.

We hope this article has provided some insight into the postnatal massage that you should incorporate into your postpartum confinement period. Additionally, to get the maximum benefits after the postpartum massage, we highly suggest you try out our Regular Confinement Trial Meal – available for both lunch and dinner for $36.00. 

We aim to provide the best confinement catering services in Singapore and to provide support to new mothers with the key nutrients they need for an effective and speedy recovery. Speak with us today to find out more about our confinement food packages!

Categories
Confinement meals

Vegetarian Confinement Food: Foods That Vegetarian Mothers Should Eat

Meat is traditionally viewed as a vital component of postpartum confinement meals in Singapore. This is because meat is believed to come with warming characteristics in TCM, and is often used with the aim of nourishing and rebalancing the mother’s body. But with vegetarian diets increasingly gaining traction for health, ethical, and environmental reasons, many have started to reduce their reliance on daily consumption of animal products. How then, can vegetarian mothers still gain the necessary nutrition without compromising on their choice of diet? We’ve put together this list of foods that vegetarian mothers can consume to ensure they don’t miss out on essential nutrients during their confinement.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the most commonly seen ingredients in the preparation of confinement meals. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used for clearing phlegm, stopping coughs, and the detoxification benefits it comes with. That said, the main reason it is included in so many confinement meal deliveries is its warming elements.

TCM believes that the elements that cause a new mother’s body temperature to drop are harmful. Hence, ginger is used to keep the body warm, eliminating ‘wind’, and preventing ailments such as rheumatism and body aches in the future.

Carrots

Carrots confinement meal delivery

Carrots are high in fibre which can help to prevent constipation in new mothers after delivery. In addition, they are also rich in beta-carotene which helps to boost the immune system.

Lotus roots

Lotus root is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds that come with many health benefits ranging from antioxidative to anti-inflammatory properties. Lotus root soup is usually given to new mothers for its high levels of nutrition, on top of keeping the bodies of new mothers warm. Add some papayas into lotus root soup as a natural sweetener, and to boost milk production for breastfeeding mothers.

Learn more: 4 Ways Soups Can Help During Your Confinement Period

King oyster mushroom

King oyster mushrooms aren’t just delicious, they are packed full of health-supporting benefits, such as naturally occurring antioxidants. King oyster mushrooms contain high levels of ergothioneine, an antioxidant found in the mushroom’s mycelium and fruit bodies that help reduce damage from free radicals and oxidative stress. These superfoods have also been shown to lower cholesterol and help with weight loss.

Tofu and soybeans

Tofu is essential for the body’s tissues and cells to heal, which is necessary for a mother’s recovery following childbirth. Adequate protein intake supports the immune system by building antibodies and prevents loss of muscle mass for breastfeeding mothers.

Iron and copper, which are the two minerals important for red blood cell formation to replenish lost blood after delivery, are also found in soybeans. Additionally, soybeans contain omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for the brain development of babies.

Black beans

Black beans confinement meal delivery

New mothers are often at risk of anaemia and other complications related to the blood loss that occurs with the delivery of a baby. Therefore, it is important for meals to contain iron-rich ingredients such as black beans for the replenishment of blood.

Black beans are also good sources of folate, vitamin B6 and much more. Research shows that B vitamin supplementation has been linked with improving anxiety levels of those who are feeling stressed. This provides a good reason for new mothers who might be feeling stressed about the transition to motherhood to incorporate black beans into their confinement meals.

Green leafy vegetables

Leafy green veggies like spinach and broccoli are filled with vitamin A, a good non-dairy source of calcium and contain vitamin C and iron. Green leafy vegetables are also filled with antioxidants and are low in calories.

Chestnuts

Chestnuts confinement meal delivery

Chestnuts are rich sources of vitamin C which can help to boost the immune system of new mothers. Chestnuts also come with properties that reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and therefore support cardiovascular health.

Red dates

Red dates are often boiled along with Longan and served as tea to new mothers to substitute drinking water. Dates are widely known for their sweet taste. However, they are also vital ingredients in confinement herbal soups because of their calming effects. This is recommended especially for mothers dealing with postpartum depression.

These are but a few of the ingredients used when preparing the best vegetarian confinement foods. That said, it is best to leave your confinement meals in the good hands of those who are trained in this field. If you’re searching for confinement soup packages, look no further than to NouRiche for all your nutritional needs. Get in touch today for more information!

Categories
Confinement Food

4 Ways Soup Can Help During Your Confinement Period

Asian families are often familiar with the concept of postpartum confinement. This is the period after a new mother has gone through childbirth, and is said to be at their most vulnerable. This is because childbirth is believed to drain the mother’s body of energy, or “qi”, and involves a loss of blood which can weaken their bodies. Lack of proper care can even result in future ailments such as arthritis or rheumatism. It is crucial then, to replenish their health with good nutrition to aid in their full recovery. Certain foods, especially confinement herbal soups, are recommended for quick restoration of health and should be included in your confinement food menu. NouRiche is an established provider of confinement meals, and we share some ways soups can be beneficial during your confinement period. Increase liquid intake Increase liquid intake confinement meal The good thing about adding confinement herbal soup to your confinement meals is that it helps to increase your liquid intake, which is especially important at this time. Keeping yourself hydrated not only aids in improving circulation and good gut health, but also supports sufficient milk supply for your little one. If you’re unsure about the necessary ingredients or techniques required in preparing soups suited for your body, consider engaging a company that can provide you with affordable confinement meal deliveries in Singapore. Bear in mind that certain Chinese herbs can be toxic to the mother or the child, thus there may be a need to use them sparingly or seek the expertise of a professional. Good for digestive system The confinement period is when new mothers should strengthen their digestive systems in order to flush out excess fluids and repair tissue. Opt for a nourishing chicken soup with ingredients that are rich in fibre like black fungus to aid bowel movement and replenish lost nutrients. This also serves as an excellent source of warmth and blood circulation, especially on a cold evening. Weight loss Incorporating soups into your confinement meals serve as a good alternative if you’re trying to cut down on carbs without compromising on energy and breast milk production throughout the day. That said, this would greatly depend on the types of ingredients included in the soup. Professional confinement meal companies like NouRiche have an extensive confinement food menu for nourishing post surgery meal deliveries. If you’re looking at achieving a weight loss goal, having a bowl of soup along with your meals is always a good option. Strengthens immunity Strengthens immunity confinement meal A mother loses a lot of blood during childbirth, leading to a weakened immunity and leaving her susceptible to diseases, viral attacks and infections. A bowl of soup can help to boost a mother’s immunity, on top of restoring warmth and energy in her body. In addition, most soups are gently simmered while cooking which helps to extract a good amount of vitamins from the ingredients used. All in all, there are far more advantages to having soups during confinement than one might think. Confinement herbal soups not only helps strengthen a mother’s constitution, but also ensures that there is sufficient breast milk for their baby. At NouRiche, we are a team of specialists in confinement meals for mothers in Singapore, and we’re here for all your nutritional needs. Speak with us to find out more!