Chinese Postpartum Confinement, Zuo Yue Zi, or sitting the month is a Chinese tradition for Chinese postpartum women who follow strict confinement rules for the whole month after giving birth to a child for the purpose of recuperating.

The whole confinement can be divided into different periods:
First Week
After physiological changes during pregnancy as well as blood loss during childbirth, confinement is the best time to restore and revitalize mother’s health especially during the first week which is a critical moment for women postpartum recovery. To replenish the body’s Qi and nourish the blood reserves, mothers need to consume proper and nutritious healthy balanced diet in order to strengthen the body's ability to repair tissues and prevent future postpartum complications and illnesses.

Second Week
The second week postpartum diet should increase calcium intake to strengthen bones and prevent postpartum back pain in future. Besides, it’s the best time to increase breast milk production thus breastfeeding mothers may consume foods that can boost breast milk secretion.

Third & Fourth Week
As the physiological function gradually improving at third and fourth week after childbirth, mothers have to reinforce in replenishing and nourishing the Qi and blood in the body to aid the recovery process and restore bodily function. In addition, mothers can also strengthen on tonic foods in order to nourish vitality, strengthens physique after childbirth and also boost mother immune system for long term well-being.

什么是坐月子？

坐月子指的是产妇在分娩后，依据严格的华人传统坐月子习俗，进行休息调养身心的一个过程，以尽速恢复身体机能。

坐月期间可以分为以下几个不同的阶段：

第一周
历经怀孕时期的生理变化，以及分娩过程的气血消耗，坐月子是女性调养健康的最佳时机，尤其第一周是产后恢复的关键时刻，宜透过补气、补血、营养均衡的适当食疗，强化身体的修复能力，预防产后各种后遗症的发生。

第二周
产后第二周的食疗调理，宜增加钙质的摄取，以强化筋骨，预防产后腰酸背痛的后遗症。此时，亦为泌乳激素旺盛的阶段，哺乳产妇可多摄取具有催乳作用的食材，促进乳汁分泌。

第三、四周
在生理机能已大致恢复的产后第三、四周，除了加强补充气血，恢复身体机能外，亦进行重点食补，借此滋补元气、提升免疫力、改善体质，为未来的健康做好良好基础。