What is expected of the husband during 坐月子 (zuo yue zi/sitting month)?

[StuartCa]

Some of it I think makes sense, some of it maybe used to make sense a long time ago..

ie Not going out with the baby for 1 month, got to be a good thing right?
Eating things that are designed to help recover from losing so much blood and help the body heal?

My guess is that it came about because women used to work in the fields and they deserved a month off from hard labour after child birth. Not sure it's so important these days.

I did read somewhere that women in the UK were suffering difficulties after child birth because of the increase in spicy food, so a diet of quite bland food maybe of benefit

[Dragonbones]

My guess is that nutrition was formerly poor, and it is hard to produce adequate breast milk (and recover from the blood loss and general trauma during labor) without proper nutrition and some rest.

We get more than enough nutrition nowadays, though, so other than a slight adjustment to ensure adequate protein, calcium, fluids and iron, and to make sure all meats are fresh and nitrate-free (no ham, bacon or sausages!), most of the traditional practices of the sitting month are unnecessary IMO.

[Tempo Gain]

One thing that comes up a lot is the fear of catching a cold during the first month. That is said to have dire consequences. I guess it's best avoided at least, and staying at home makes sense there.

[ustky]

Holy cow!
I guess I stirred a ruckus. Or perhaps forumosa is always this active, I'm just a casual reader.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice. I have heard of the mother/baby hotel thing, but she already said she doesn't want to do this. My wife is generally pretty low key on traditions. But as you all suggest, I will do what she tells me. I personally like the idea of chanting naked in the street.

[Chris]

Some of the traditions make sense, such as allowing her a month to recuperate and eat nutritious food.

Others are compete nonsensical, such as the prohibition on washing hair for a month.

Someone with clout and sense needs to come along, take certain traditions by the horns, and winnow out the stupid stuff while keeping the good stuff.

[tsukinodeynatsu]

Are mothers-in-law known to insist on this month if the mother is a foreigner?

[marasan]

My wife is about four months into her pregnancy. We didn't do the zuo ye zi thing the first time because we were in the States. Well, things are different now that we are in Taiwan. Also, the wife is convinced she's aged more than she should have after having our daughter because we didn't do the sitting month business the first time around. I have some questions. How much does this cost for the companies that offer delivery service? Are there any companies anyone can recommend? Is there a big difference between the companies? Thanks!

[Nuit]

I can NOT recommend our lady, who brought round bowls of foul smelling fish soup for 30 days in a row.
With the mother-in-law in permanent residence too, that was one long month.

[marasan]

I can NOT recommend our lady, who brought round bowls of foul smelling fish soup for 30 days in a row.
With the mother-in-law in permanent residence too, that was one long month.

I was imagining more of a Chinese medicine smell. And my wife can't wash her hair for a freakin' month? That can't end up smelling too great.

[EddieG]

That my wife doesn't believe in all that stuff is what makes me confident in our marriage.