Pulling Down the Moon

SITTING THE MONTH

January 20, 2023

Ask the Acupuncturist: Christine Davis, LAc

Q: What is Sitting the Month? How is it helpful for the postpartum mom?

A: In China, the first 30 days after a baby is born is referred to as "Sitting the Month" (坐月子). It is a critical time for the new mother to rest and recuperate. Historically, the period after giving birth was seen as a golden opportunity to reset and heal any constitutional illness or deficiency by resting, eating healthy foods, and even going to extremes such as not bathing or not seeing anyone outside the family, which could supposedly make the woman healthier than she was before or during pregnancy!


These days, it isn't always easy to rest as much as we might need after having a baby. Maybe work is calling you back in. Maybe you don't have family close by who can help. Maybe you have a baby with exceptional needs. There is also the social and societal pressure to be a perfect mom, be slimmer than before you got pregnant, and always be happy! and enjoy every moment!!!


At PDtM, we think there can be a happy medium between the ancient practice of Sitting the Month and the pressure to be a perfect new mom. Here are a few things you can do to find your balance in the postpartum period:


1. Prep before birth. Make your home a cozy and easy place to be. Live the hygge life. Make comfortable spots where you can feed baby. Meal prep by making larger batches of frozen food. Gather menus from your favorite take out places. 

2. Ask for help. This is the time to call in ALL the favors. Hire if you can. 

3. Eat warm foods. Don't deny yourself a salad or fresh fruit, but DO concentrate on cooked and warm foods like oatmeal for breakfast, soups and baked casseroles for lunch and dinner. Focus on high value nutrient foods like veggies, meats, whole grains, and nuts/legumes.

4. Bathe sparingly. I know what you're thinking: "Who has time to shower with a newborn?" Naturally, you can be hygienic, but maybe you shower every 2-3 days instead of every day during this period.

5. Don't sit or sleep in front of an air conditioner/fan in the summer or a vent in the winter. You can have it on in the room, just not blowing directly on you for a long period. Blowing air or "Wind" according to Chinese Medicine is the cause of disease. 

6. Be with your baby. Luxuriate in spending time with your new little one. You only get this time with this baby once! Say no to work when you can. Limit how much tidying you do around the house - it can definitely wait. It's harder when you have 1 or more other kids to attend to, but again, this is the time to recruit your partner/spouse, parents/grandparents, nieces/nephews, aunts/uncles, babysitters, etc. to spend time with the older kids while you get to know your newest family member.


Christine is the Acupuncture Director at Pulling Down the Moon and is available by appointment in the Highland Park office.


(Pic of Christine with her first baby by her husband, Bob)

Share on Social

Discuss With Us

Our Latest Resources

Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
A man is comforting a woman who is sitting on a couch.

Online Infertility Support Groups: Finding Your Community

January 27, 2025
Connect with others who understand your journey. Discover online infertility support groups to share experiences, gain advice, and find emotional sup

Take the Next Step Toward Parenthood

January 21, 2025
Discover Our New Testing Options to Support Your Fertility Journey
More Posts
Share by: