For many postpartum mothers, the confinement period (坐月子, zuò yuè zi) is a time to replenish the energy expended during childbirth. However, if the diet is not appropriate, it may not provide the necessary nutrition, and excessive calories can hinder the return to pre-pregnancy body shape.
Dr. Li Liyun, a specially invited expert from Guoshengtang and a professor at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, known as the “Goddess of Fertility” (送子观音, sòng zǐ guān yīn) advises new mothers and their families that to restore the functions of qi (气, qì) and blood (血, xuè) and the organs quickly, mothers during the confinement period (6-8 weeks postpartum, with the traditional confinement period being the first 30 days) can refer to the following 14 postpartum dishes to achieve a beautiful and comfortable recovery.
“Eating your way to a beautiful and comfortable confinement,” mothers need to replenish the energy consumed during childbirth and provide sufficient nutrition for breastfeeding. Poultry, meat, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegetables are all suitable options. Avoid frozen, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods.
1
Angelica and Ginger Lamb Soup
【Ingredients】10g Angelica (当归, dāng guī), 15g Ginger (生姜, shēng jiāng), 200g Lamb (羊肉, yáng ròu). 【Method】Wash the ingredients and simmer for 1 hour, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Warms yang and tonifies deficiency, suitable for those giving birth in winter or spring, especially those with a cold constitution.
2
Longan and Chinese Yam Stewed Chicken
【Ingredients】10g Longan (元肉, yuán ròu), 15g Chinese Yam (淮山, huái shān), 200g Chicken (鸡项, jī xiàng) (non-laying hen). 【Method】Stew the ingredients for 2 hours, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Nourishes blood and strengthens the spleen, suitable for general postpartum mothers.
3
Glutinous Rice Wine Chicken
【Ingredients】100ml Glutinous Rice Wine (糯米酒, nuò mǐ jiǔ), 200g Chicken (鸡项, jī xiàng). 【Method】Cook the ingredients with appropriate water for 1 hour, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Nourishes blood and invigorates circulation.
4
Coconut Chicken Soup
【Ingredients】1 fresh coconut, 200g Chicken (鸡项, jī xiàng). 【Method】Wash the ingredients and simmer with appropriate water for 1 hour, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Nourishes yin and tonifies deficiency, suitable for general postpartum mothers or those with heat deficiency.
5
Chinese Yam and Goji Berry Stewed Chicken Soup
【Ingredients】15g Chinese Yam (淮山, huái shān), 10g Goji Berries (祀子, zì zǐ), 200g Chicken (鸡项, jī xiàng). 【Method】Stew the ingredients with appropriate water for 2 hours, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Nourishes the kidneys, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes blood, suitable for general postpartum mothers.
6
American Ginseng Stewed Chicken Soup
【Ingredients】10g American Ginseng (花旗参, huā qí shēn), 200g Chicken (鸡项, jī xiàng). 【Method】Stew the ingredients with appropriate water for 2 hours, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Tonifies qi, generates fluids, and nourishes blood, suitable for mothers with both qi and yin deficiency.
7
Wood Ear Mushroom Chicken Soup
【Ingredients】20g Wood Ear Mushroom (木耳, mù ěr), 200g Chicken (鸡项, jī xiàng). 【Method】Cook the ingredients with wine and appropriate water to make soup.
【Effects】Promotes recovery and is suitable for those with postpartum discharge issues and lower abdominal pain.
(Note: All chicken used should be skinless.)
8
Motherwort and Pig Trotter Soup
【Ingredients】20g Motherwort (王不留行, wáng bù liú xíng), 200g Pig Trotters (猪蹄, zhū tí) (near the tip). 【Method】Simmer the ingredients with appropriate water for 1 hour, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Promotes lactation, suitable for those with insufficient milk.
9
Octopus and Peanut Soup
【Ingredients】100g Octopus (章鱼, zhāng yú), 100g Peanuts (花生, huā shēng). 【Method】Simmer the ingredients with appropriate water for 1 hour, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Promotes lactation and strengthens the spleen, suitable for mothers with insufficient milk.
10
Artemisia Eggs
【Ingredients】Fresh Mugwort (艾叶, ài yè) 10g, 1 Egg (鸡蛋, jī dàn). 【Method】Cook the ingredients with appropriate water, then consume the broth.
【Effects】Warms the meridians and tonifies the center, suitable for mothers with cold deficiency.
11
Daylily Egg Soup
【Ingredients】20g Daylily (黄花菜, huáng huā cài), 1 Egg (鸡蛋, jī dàn). 【Method】First boil the daylily in water for about 10 minutes, then add the egg and cook until done.
【Effects】Clears heat and nourishes blood, suitable for mothers with irritability and liver qi stagnation.
12
Daylily and Pork Rib Soup
【Ingredients】20g Daylily (黄花菜, huáng huā cài), 200g Pork Ribs (排骨, pái gǔ). 【Method】Simmer the ingredients with appropriate water, drink the soup and eat the meat.
【Effects】Clears heat and promotes lactation, suitable for mothers with insufficient milk postpartum.
13
Papaya and Fish Head Soup
【Ingredients】200g Papaya (木瓜, mù guā), 1 Fish Head (大鱼头, dà yú tóu), 3 slices of Ginger (生姜, shēng jiāng). 【Method】First stir-fry the papaya and ginger until slightly yellow, then fry the fish head until slightly yellow, add appropriate water and simmer until cooked.
【Effects】Promotes lactation and is suitable for mothers with insufficient milk postpartum.
14
Huang Qi Beef Tea
【Ingredients】10g Huang Qi (黄芪, huáng qí), 150g Beef (牛肉, niú ròu). 【Method】Simmer the ingredients with appropriate water for 30 minutes, drink the broth.
【Effects】Tonifies qi and nourishes blood, suitable for mothers with qi and yang deficiency.
Additionally, pay attention to the following health care aspects:
1. Ensure adequate sleep.Sleep is the best way to restore energy, and the secretion of breast milk is closely related to sleep. Insufficient sleep can affect milk production, especially in the early postpartum period; avoid overexertion too soon.
2. Maintain cleanliness of the perineum. Use clean sanitary pads, as the birth canal has wounds that can easily lead to infection, especially for those who have undergone episiotomy.
3. Avoid sexual intercourse during the postpartum period and maintain nipple hygiene. Clean the nipples before each breastfeeding session; if there are any cracks, apply some disinfectant petroleum jelly to prevent mastitis.
4. Advocate breastfeeding. Breast milk is rich in nutrients, at a suitable temperature, clean, and sterile, making it the best for infant feeding, especially colostrum, which contains antibodies that enhance the infant’s immune function. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus contract, preventing prolonged postpartum discharge due to poor uterine contraction.
5. Should the room be airtight?
NO!
Previously, there were reports of a postpartum mother in the suburbs of Shanghai dying from severe heatstroke, leaving behind a child only about ten days old, which is quite tragic.
Therefore, it is necessary to remind the elders and husbands caring for the mother to keep the air circulation in the mother’s room. Especially for mothers giving birth in hot weather, it is crucial to open windows to prevent heatstroke. In winter, pay attention to warmth and avoid early immersion in cold water, and avoid exposure to cold winds.
Source: “Clinical Essentials of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Gynecology: Clinical Essence of Professor Li Liyun”
Doctor
Li Liyun
Chief Physician
Profile
Currently a professor and chief physician at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a nationally renowned TCM expert, a famous TCM physician in Guangdong Province, a leader in gynecology, a master’s supervisor, and the head of the gynecology professional group of the Guangdong Provincial TCM Science and Technology Achievement Review Committee. She is also a director of the Guangdong TCM Research Promotion Association, an academic advisor for the Gynecology Professional Committee of the Guangdong TCM Society, and a standing committee member of the Guangdong TCM Science and Technology Expert Committee. She is a senior expert in the Guangdong Association of Integrative Medicine and a member of the Guangdong Famous Doctor Consultation Center. She has edited and co-edited works such as “Clinical Essentials of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Gynecology,” “Essentials of TCM Treatment for Modern Difficult Diseases,” “TCM Treatment of Miscellaneous Diseases,” and “Specialized Gynecology.” She specializes in TCM gynecology and integrative gynecology, with a solid theoretical foundation in TCM and rich clinical experience, and leads the “Regulating Menstruation Seed” specialty at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Expertise
She has unique efficacy in treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding, female infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and inflammation of female reproductive organs using integrative TCM and Western medicine methods. She is well-received by patients, attracting patients from the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and various regions across the country.
Note: The images in the article are sourced from 123rf.com.cn and 588ku.com licensed image library.
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