Various plants and herbs make up the confinement ritual practices found in various cultures in Malaysia. — Photos: Rimbayu Confinement Care
CONFINEMENT or postnatal care practices are common customs practised in various parts of Asia, and they vary significantly across countries and cultures.
But one thing’s for sure, these protocols all have a common goal: To look after the well-being of both mother and her newborn during postpartum period.
As these practices are deeply rooted in cultural traditions, there is a mix of traditional and conventional wisdom and healing methods that emphasise the need for rest and recovery after childbirth.
In Malaysia, confinement practices, or “pantang,” is a distinctive representation of the nation’s diverse cultural legacy, each with its own customs and traditions.
Lactation consultant Dr Tengku Nur ‘Atiqah Tengku Mahmood says confinement practices are among the underrated heritage elements in Malaysia.
Dr Tengku Nur ‘Atiqah says confinement rituals can be a great complementary treatment to help mothers. — Dr TENGKU NUR 'ATIQAH
“Nevertheless, they are the most unique, as they represent a melting pot of the best practices from three main cultures: the Malay, Chinese and Indians,” adds Dr Tengku Nur ‘Atiqah, the founder of a day spa specialising in pre- and postnatal treatments.
Her dual role as a medical doctor and someone who works closely with traditional treatment practitioners provides her with a unique perspective on confinement rituals and the recovery journey of postnatal mothers.
“Confinement rituals can be a great complementary treatment to help mothers,” she says. “But my advice is for mothers to seek confinement services from professionally trained and certified practitioners.”
Healthy start
Medically, Dr Tengku Nur ‘Atiqah says the first month after labour is crucial for a mother’s physical, mental and emotional healing.
“This is a critical period with risks of postpartum haemorrhage, infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and depression,” she explains.
However, she says there is no set confinement period in conventional medicine. “It all depends on the mother. Once a mother’s perineal or caesarean sutures are healed, breastfeeding established, newborn jaundice resolved, and the mother is feeling much better and stronger, then she is good to go,” she explains.
On the other hand, traditional confinement practices from the Chinese, Indian and Malay communities are typically observed from 30 to 44 days after childbirth.
“From my experience, the quality of a new mother’s recovery heavily depends on the care she receives during her confinement,” says 67-year-old Josephine Chua from Melaka.
Chua says a new mother's recovery heavily depends on the care she receives during her confinement. — JOSEPHINE CHUA
“With proper care, complete with necessary treatments and nutritious food, the mother usually returns to her former self,” says the mother to one son.
Ipoh-based confinement lady Dorashiela Samsudin, 54, agrees: “If all rituals are strictly followed, postnatal mothers will return to work with improved health, vitality and strength.”
She adds, “The confinement period is a time for maternal recovery after childbirth and is crucial for the baby’s healthy growth.”
Dorashiela holds a Malaysian Skills Certificate Level 3 in Therapeutic Massage and has been in the industry for eight years. A graduate of TVET Institution Sdn Bhd, she has also attended various postnatal care courses organised by government agencies and community colleges.
Echoing this sentiment, Thavapriya Murugiah highlights the importance of support provided to mothers during confinement.
“Nutritious meals, gentle massages and nurturing rituals not only aid healing but also boost confidence in caring for the newborn,” she says.
For Dorashiela, a confinement lady helps make a new mother's postnatal period smooth and pleasant. — Photos: DORASHEILA SAMSUDIN
Thavapriya has been offering a blend of modern and traditional Indian postnatal practices and childcare services for five years now.
“I strongly believe that a well-cared-for mother means a healthier start in life for the baby.
“Bonding time and breast milk are crucial for the baby’s growth and development,” says the 47-year-old from Selangor, who is trained in early childhood education before transitioning into postnatal care by enrolling in relevant courses.
Hot stone therapy (or tungku) is part of the ritual in Malay confinement practices.
Caring hands
Above all, Dr Tengku Nur ‘Atiqah says new mothers need nutrition, rest and physical and emotional support during her confinement period.
“She has to get good rest, eat well-rounded meals and hydrate well to recover and produce milk, and receive a lot of care and emotional support to help her navigate the challenges of motherhood,” explains Dr Tengku Nur ‘Atiqah.
Dorashiela adds: “This is where the service of a confinement lady comes in, to help make the confinement period a smooth and pleasant experience.”
While the duration of her packages ranges from three to 30 days, depending on her client’s budget and needs, Dorashiela says the basic package usually includes herbal bath, full body massage, hot stone therapy (or tungku), and sauna or herbal steaming.
“Some also ask for baby care, from umbilical cord care to bathing, massage and hot stone therapy, and preparing confinement meals,” she adds.
“During my time, my confinement lady took care of me from preparing my bath, cooking, doing laundry, cleaning the house and caring for the baby,” says Chua, adding that the same lady also took care of her when she had a surgery a few years later.
Although she specialises in Indian postnatal care – including oil massages and herbal baths – Thavapriya offers a diverse range of confinement meal options, incorporating Indian cuisine, a fusion of Chinese and Malay dishes and Western meals.
“Additionally, I provide comprehensive baby care guidance and occasionally, other services like lactation consultation, as needed,” she says, adding that some mothers choose to undergo confinement for as long as six weeks.
Bengkung, or body wrap is also part of confinement ritual.
Modern or traditional
While traditional confinement care has been proven effective for maternal health after childbirth, Dorashiela notes that certain practices are not recommended by doctors.
“For instance, the consumption of traditional herbal medicines like jamu is not recommended because what a mother consumes, the child will also take in via breast milk,” she adds.
For Thavapriya, there are three elements that modern practices offer which traditional ones often lack: mental health support, balanced nutritious meals and light physical activities or mobility.
“That’s why I incorporate these approaches into my Indian postnatal services, omitting rigid taboos like forceful body massage and scrubs that were commonly practised in conventional Indian confinement care, typically performed by experienced grandmothers,” she explains.
Dr Tengku Nur ‘Atiqah agrees. “Some practices may cause harm to mothers. For example, the practice of sauna (or tangas) is medically not advised for the first month after labour because prolonged periods of sitting still in a wet and hot enclosed space may lead to complications such as dehydration and suture site infection,” she adds.
She also highlights the importance of properly tying the bengkung or body wrap to avoid worsening conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse after labour.
“We now live in the age of information and accessibility, so mothers can blend rituals from conventional medicine and traditional practices to help them heal – physically and mentally – more effectively,” she concludes.
