Nicholas Colin, YanFei Liu, Daniel ZiJun, and Raven Anastasia STANOSHECK |
For instance, one Chinese lady insisted my wife should take Calcium, which gave my wife and son painful constipation. Thankfully my wife did not abide by no teeth brushing, hair washing, showering, or getting out of bed for a full month. These are based an the water in old China being so bad. But now they think these things will make them look very old and have health problems when they are old.
All these beliefs have been debunked, but the Chinese ladies who are your wife's friends will insist she must do these things, and most Chinese women will listen to her fellow Chinese friends over you. Thankfully, Fei was made to walk in the hospital, and does a little at home, and broke down and brushed her teeth at 1 week, washed her hair at 2 weeks, and showered at 3 weeks. But still, no fans are allowed near her or my son, and both always have to wear a hat.
I just want to warn you men about the tip of the iceberg you will experience if she has your baby here in America. Happy parenting!
5 comments:
Thank you Nik , as always great info for the " ONES " that do not know this or don't see it coming . Here we don't have a Baby yet .. but it was already talked about between both of us in every detail . Do I look forward to it ? A Baby .. YES .. the aftermath .. ??? .. Oh Boy ! One can think their ready and fully prepared .. but ? Yes , a big "But" .
Great post Nik. I have seen some of what you are talking about from a friend of mine. I have also heard of some similar stuff through my wife, about her pregnant sister in law.
Some of it seems to me to be odd. They treat a pregnant lady, and a new born like they are more delicate than they really are.
Anyways, great post. I look forward to reading more.
These cultural "norms" you speak of regarding child birth are not widespread in China. The two that are common in China are 1) that the child and mother not go outside for one month, with the exception of visits to the doctor. This is to reduce infection of the mother and newborn. and 2) that no other female spend significant time with the mother and baby, with the exception of the immediate grandmothers. This is to allow the child to bond with the mother.
As for not washing or brushing teeth for a month, these are simply Chinese bunk. Live your life and kick these myths to the curb.
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Congratulations to you and your wife on a wonderful new son!
Thanks for the blog and information! I always love to read your posts.
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