Today, I’m reviewing 30 days Mom Series Confinement Package 妈妈坐月配套, provided by Mummamia Confinement. It contains everything a mother would need for a fuss free confinement at home. Since I’m DIY-ing my own confinement, I jumped at the chance when Mummmia asked me if I wanted to do a review for their products.

So why is confinement important after childbirth?

Chinese believes traditional postnatal confinement is vital for the recovery of the mother’s long term health. It is supposed to nourish the body as well as preventing after birth backaches. Thus, diet and supplements with a perfect blend of ingredients and vitamin goodness is necessary for the mother in aiding the recovery process.

What do I think of the products in the package?

• Gold Brand Zhui Feng Su Ho Pill x 6

Processed from 17 selected herbs (I counted the list of ingredients), Su Ho pill is consumed to help postnatal mothers expel wind internally, reduce nausea & giddiness, improve appetite and reduce bloating.

Each box contains 5 cylinders, and each cylinder contains 2 packets for easy consumptions. Take 1 packet twice a day on empty stomach with warm water or red dates tea.

I have one packet upon waking up and before going to bed each day. I did notice that I tend to expel wind (read: fart) quite a bit after taking the pill. I wonder if it is really the pill or post natal women tend to ‘rid of excess wind’ quite a lot anyway.

As for appetite, I must say it has definitely increased! I’m constantly hungry. I’m now eating more than when I was pregnant! No worries about putting on weight though, post natal mothers do need to eat more in order for the body to recover and to produce milk for baby.

• Gold Brand Ginseng Plus Pai Fong Pill (Small Pill) x 1

Traditionally used by women to replenish blood after monthly menses. It is said to be particularly great for those with pre-menstrual syndrome or menstrual problems and women after childbirth. Regular consumption of this pill is said to relieve menstrual cramps, prevents the symptoms of menopause and PMS, corrects hormone imbalance and acts as a general tonic for the female reproductive system. Apparently, it is also good to treat dry cough as well as dry skin and consuming it regularly will help maintain better health and youth.

I find consuming Pai Fong pills rather easy and it beats the trouble of making and drinking bitter Ba Zhen or 8 Treasures Decoction Soup (八珍汤) anytime!

• Confinement Herbal Bath (Mom Series) x 7

I remember my first confinement nanny used to boil big pot of herb water for me to bath with. The Confinement Herbal Bath makes it much more convenient for me now. I just need to soak the sachet of herbs in hot water, and add it to my bath. Although the direction says to soak for 5 minutes before use, I find that I need to soak the herbal sachet for at least 15 minutes. I guess it is like tea, the longer you leave it in the water, the stronger it gets.

The ingredients in each sachet includes not only the common DAFENGAI, but also other herbs like lemongrass and BUJINZHI that is supposed to help with blood circulation, expels wind and has calming effects that helps soothe mummies’ discomfort during confinement.

I didn’t feel the difference bathing in herbal water versus plain warm water. But if you believe in strict post natal chinese confinement practices, it is either herbal bath or no bath/shower, your choice.

• Zhui Feng Su Ho Oil x 1

I actually haven’t use this on myself. But I use it on baby Georgia instead. It is safe on baby as it is non-spicy. Everyday after her bath, we pat some oil on her little tummy, her back and at the sole of her feet. This practice is supposed to prevent gassiness and colic in newborn. It is also keeping her little feet warm. There are days when Georgia seems uncomfortable after a feed, I would rub Su Ho oil on her tummy. She would fart almost immediately! Pretty amazing if you ask me. I would definitely recommend this to mothers whose babies prone to bloating.

As for mothers, you can use Su Ho Oil for after birth massage, to promote blood circulation, and reduce water retention, backache and wind-like symptoms. My helper told me it helped relieved her period cramps when she rub some on her tummy and lower back. Avoid using on open wound though.

Overall verdict?

I must say that I’m a sceptic when it comes to things I don’t really understand. I’m quite westernized, can’t read chinese and know nothing about chinese practices / traditions prior to this. I do believe post natal mothers must rest adequately and eat healthily to get better after the whole childbirth ordeal. However, I also think the chinese confinement practice for an entire month is a little excessive. Having said that, compared to my last childbirth, I did recover a lot quicker, while looking and feeling less tired too. My wound recovered in half the time and my tummy flattened (still a bit more to go!) despite my constant eating. So perhaps I should credit some of my fast recovery to this Mom Series Confinement Package from Mummamia. All of above products are suitable for vegetarian consumer and it is also halal certified.

Overall Value?

The package retails at S$180 (20 days) , S$238 (30 days) and $288 (40 days). Considering the ease of use and money saved from hiring a confinement nanny, I’d say it is a steal. I spent more just buying herbs alone during my first confinement.

About Mummamia
Mummamia Confinement (妈妈密友) is a company based in Singapore focusing on pregnancy care and post natal recovery. They are a team of dedicated personnel who focuses on making confinement a hassle-free and joyful experience for mothers by introducing beneficial products and services.
All their products and services are under supervision of their own TCM Physicians.

Mummamia products can be purchased online at mummamia.sg, or at these retailers:

Mount Alvernia Hospital Retail Pharmacy
Thomson Medical Centre Parentcraft Shop
Rochor Centre – Blk 2, Rochor Rd, #01-586, S180001