The first month of your newborn’s life is also a crucial time for mommy’s recovery. Chinese culture dictates that the new mom observes certain customs. These customs include not showering, drinking only red date tea, avoiding salt in her food, amongst other practices. It can be rather complicated, which is why hiring a confinement nanny is essential during that time.
However, the 21st century is a wonderful time to be alive because everything has been made accessible and convenient. There are professional confinement centers all over the island, and confinement food is also readily available.
The tropical climate of Singapore makes it hard for moms to abstain from bathing for a day or two, much less a whole month! According to tradition, mothers can only shower with hot, boiled water which is infused with herbs.
Herbs for bathing should be steeped in boiling water for 15 to 30 minutes and allowed to cool slightly before taking a bath.
Here are some of the top brands in Singapore that offer quality pre-packed confinement herbs for baths and consumption.
Get a FREE Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Essentials Bundle of Must-Have Maternity Items and Breastfeeding Essentials!
Lao Ban Niang
One of Singapore’s oldest Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) retailers, Lao Ban Niang was first established in 1977 and became a registered brand in 2009.
A family business, Lao Ban Niang focuses on facilitating the younger generation on how to do confinement properly with both knowledge and convenient pre-packed herbs.
The company offers three package tiers, each of which comes with an instruction booklet, Sheng Hua Tang, 30 days of confinement soup packets, and tea packets.
The mid and top-tier packages include 30 days’ worth of confinement herbal bath packets as well as baby herbal baths, amongst other essentials for the new mother.
You can also get the herbal confinement soup on its own if you don’t need the full package.
Lao Ban Niang’s products are all-natural and organic. As a plus, their pre-packed soup herbs are clearly labeled and you will be able to identify which one you should consume at a glance.
You can read our in-depth review of Lao Ban Niang’s packages right here on Supermom.
Huiji Waist Tonic
Suitable for vegetarians and Muslim moms alike, Huiji Waist Tonic is a trusted drink made from natural herbs.
One of the main ingredients for this tonic is Cordyceps which lowers blood pressure and boosts immunity. Du Zhou, another key herb, helps with detoxification and can also strengthen one’s back and legs. Ginseng needs no introduction, this energy-boosting herb is great for new moms to keep up with their little one, especially with all those sleepless nights.
Dang Gui, He Shou Wu, and Da Zao each have their own healing properties, but they all play a part in promoting blood circulation, which is beneficial to postpartum recovery.
It has a naturally occurring sweetness that is easy to swallow and is a great supplement to any confinement meal plan.
Heng Foh Tong
Another established TCM herb trader, Heng Foh Tong has sold over 60,000 packets of confinement herbs since 1957. They have plenty of confinement packages to choose from.
Their packages focus on healing the postnatal body and also aid in beautifying and revitalising. The Top Grade package is inclusive of 36 packets of herbal concoction, 30 days of confinement tea, 37 packets of bath herbs, including 7 packets for baby’s use, and a cooking guide.
Everything is labeled clearly, and there are three steps to Heng Fu Tong’s confinement package. The first phase focuses on recovery for the first week, before moving on to purification and revitalization before the final beautification stage.
Heng Foh Tong’s Top Grade package, complete with a free slow cooker when purchased on Supermom.
The owners, who are over 70 years old, handpick the herbs that go into these packages. They ensure that they use only the best herbs and are also open to crafting personalised packages for their clients.
Certified & Trusted
Our specialist award-winning mattress cleaning services are completely chemical free, providing exceptional results!
Madam Partum
Whether you are looking for pre- or postnatal supplements, Madam Partum offers a holistic approach with their 28 Days Confinement Bundle, complete with traditional massages in order to promote healing and recovery.
Mothers that choose Madam Partum can have a peace of mind that they are endorsed by Chien Chi Tow, an established TCM brand.
The soup package comes with a total of 12 different types of soup bases, you will be spoilt for choice. Foolproof, even for women who don’t know how to cook – all you have to do is follow the instructions printed on the package.
If you want the full package with herbal bath packs, you’re looking at 28 days’ worth of herbal tea. You can also buy bath herbs to complete the set.
Hock Hua
A brand with over 80 stores all over Singapore and Malaysia, Hock Hua is a trusted TCM market with a large selection of supplements, herbs, confinement meals, and tonics.
HockHua Tonic is produced with the sole intent of reducing waist pain, alleviating fatigue, and boosting blood circulation. Free from alcohol and cane sugar, it’s also 100% natural, with key herbs like Cordyceps, Eucommia, Red Dates, and Ginseng.
It is available on Supermom in a bundle of two.
You can also purchase their 28-day tonic soup package for different recovery periods. It’s the perfect choice for finicky eaters because no two soups are the same. You’ll be trying something new every day.
Best of Singapore’s Confinement Food
After bringing home a newborn, the last thing on your mind is to cook yourself nutritious meals. Thankfully, nowadays you can opt for confinement catering!
There are plenty of options, ranging from home-cooked aficionados on Instagram to renowned chefs like Nouriche. But, we’re just going to touch on the best of the best. Here are our top-rated confinement food catering services in Singapore:
Chilli Padi
It’s important to have your food hot, especially during confinement. It is believed that cold food invites “wind”, which is detrimental to a healing mother.
Chilli Padi also incorporates lactation-boosting ingredients like papaya, spinach, salmon, and turmeric. They merge flavours with purpose. Chilli Padi has their own in-house lactation cookies which are free with every 14-day meal plan subscription.
Read more about Chilli Padi and their organic ingredients, such as their Sakura Chickens which feature no antibiotics or growth hormones. Do it right with Chilli Padi!
Tianwei
Confinement meals don’t have to be bland, or even Chinese for that matter. Tianwei offers a delectable menu filled with traditional and fusion options on their menu.
You can sample their Mediterranean Signature Seared Salmon with Cauliflower Cream and Tri Colour Grains, or Japan Signature Kurobuta Pork Loin with Apple Mirin Sauce and Spaghetti. You have to see it to believe it. Tianwei really packs a creative punch with their dishes.
Their innovative and palatable fusion dishes might be watering, but Tianwei recommends mixing meal plans with traditional dishes as well, because balance is important.
Redeem your FREE baby goodie bag!
Get a Skip Hop Food Jar or a baby playmat!
Thomson Medical
One of the top choices in Singapore! Each meal is carefully designed by professionals and experts in their respective fields. Thomson Medical ensures that their meals meet the nutritional needs of moms recovering from childbirth.
Their 28-day package is divided into two cycles. The first lasts for 10 days, and moms will receive milder food that aids with digestion. Whereby, the remainder of the meals will be geared toward milk-boosting dishes such as Fish and Papaya Soup.
Still on the fence? Thomson Medical offers free food tasting to any interested mom-to-be. Contact them today!
Do note that Thomson Medical Centre has a pork-free menu, but they aren’t Halal certified. Also, their menu does not cater to those with nut sensitivities.
Have you found your dream confinement plan?
If you’re still struggling to find a confinement plan that works for you, don’t stress!
Everyone is different, and we don’t have to follow traditions to a T. Times change and so does technology. Did you know that the reason moms weren’t allowed to shower in the olden days was that they didn’t have access to clean water?
Today’s doctors actually encourage good hygiene, and that includes bathing.
Read more: 8 confinement myths – debunked!
Regardless of how you want to do your confinement, don’t forget: You do you. Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something that you don’t want to do. We know they are well-intentioned, but nobody knows you better than yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How do you cook confinement herbs?
Take the herbs out of their packaging and wash them in clean tap water. Boil about three bowls of water, then add in the herbs and your choice of meat. Cook on high until done, then serve while still hot.
What soup is good for confinement?
Soups like chicken soup, lotus root soup, mutton soup, black dates soup, and more are suitable for the confinement period.
What herbs to buy for confinement?
Mugwort, ginger, jujube, goji berries, motherwort, lemongrass, and a variety of other herbs can be helpful during the postpartum recovery period.
What is a confinement package?
Confinement packages include pre-packaged herbal packets for soups, teas, and baths, as well as food that can help mothers recover during the postpartum period.
