In Asia, there is a centuries-old practice of “sitting the month.” During this period, the mother is taken care of for 30 to 40 days after she has just given birth. This means someone cooks her nourishing meals, prepares nutritious snacks, and takes care of the baby full time while the mother recuperates. These are the exciting parts of the practice. Other parts include not being able to wash your hair for a month, take a shower (you can sponge off), or leave the house.

In the US, I think we have a little bit of recovery time. Partners will cook, meal trains might be organized, parents will come to help out for a bit. But it definitely doesn’t go on for 30 to 40 days or is much less comprehensive.

Traditionally, in Taiwan, the mother-in-law or the mother helps the woman during the sitting month period. Today, there are many options to fulfill the sitting month, including the partner, hiring help to come to the house part-time, having meals delivered, and the luxury option of staying in a Sitting Confinement Center. Prices for this last option range from $130/day to $400/day.

At the high end of a confinement center, a couple stays in a five-star hotel-like room and has a staff at the ready that includes cooks, yoga instructors, mental health counselors, doctors, and nurses, all there to support the mother and teach her how to care for the baby and breastfeed. It is like being on a vacation. Even at the low range prices, the support is excellent. Below is a confinement room starting at about $300/day. Notice the massage chair in the back.

If I had to do my own postpartum experience over again, I would like to have stayed ten days in a center and the money spent would have been worth it. For the first child, I needed help in both the recovery and in learning how to take care of a baby. For the second child, I could have used the extra time to recover. I think after ten days, I’d start to get restless. What do you think of this tradition?