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The map below shows how families around the world care for mothers after birth - with rest, support, and time to recover. In many cultures, there are traditions that remind us you’re not meant to do it all alone. By exploring these practices, we hope you see that asking for help and making space for your own recovery is not only okay - it’s something parents everywhere have always done (see sources here).
Place your cursor over the black dots to explore the map
EAST ASIA
In countries like China and Taiwan, "zou yue zi" or "sitting the month" is a 30 to 40-day period of confinement with health diets, rest, and avoidance of cold for mothers. In the cities, the family with more resources may hire professional care from confinement centres.​
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In South Korea, "saam chil iu" is a traditional 21-day rest period for new mothers, with an emphasis on eating warm food and avoiding cold. The family may also hire "sanhudoumi" - a postpartum helper to help with cooking, cleaning, and caring for the baby. This is often subsidised, and family will contribute out of their pocket.​
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In Japan, a practice called "satogaeri bunben" is when a new mother returns to their parental home to give birth and recover. Family members help with providing meals, childcare and household support.
SOUTH EAST ASIA
In Malaysia, "pantang" is a 40–44 day confinement period, during which mothers receive massages, herbal baths, and special meals from family or hired helpers. In Indonesia, "masa nifas" (~40 days) allows mothers to rest while midwives provide baby checkups and families give traditional care. In Vietnam, "ở cữ" is a month-long confinement focused on nutrient-rich food and rest, with support from family.
SOUTH ASIA
In India, "jaappa" refers to a ~40-day period of postpartum rest. During this time, mothers are relieved of household work, follow specific dietary practices, and receive care such as massages and herbal remedies from family members.
In Bhutan, midwives provide government-funded postpartum visits on days 3, 7, 21, and 42, checking both mother and baby’s health. Together, these practices emphasize maternal recovery while combining family-based support in India with structured medical services in Bhutan.
MIDDLE EAST
Many Middle Eas traditions provide about 40 days of rest. During this time, mothers are relieved of domestic duties and cared for by family members, often mothers or sisters. The system is not government-funded and relies entirely on family networks.
AFRICA
In Nigeria, "omugwo" is an Igbo tradition where a new mother and her baby are cared for by a female relative. For example, a grandmother or mother-in-law moves in to cook, clean, bathe the baby, allow the mother to rest after childbirth.
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Similarly, in Morocco, "al-taqsan" is the traditional 40-day postpartum confinement period, during which family members care for the new mothers and babies, providing the mothers with nourishing food and massages.
NORTH AMERICA
In the United States, postpartum care usually involves a single 6-week checkup, with optional paid services like doulas or night nurses for those who can afford them. In Canada, mothers receive ongoing support from midwives and public health nurses, with services funded by the government. Care includes home visits, emotional support, and baby check-ins. While both countries offer medical monitoring, only Canada provides universal services. The U.S. system is more inequitable, as additional help depends on families’ ability to pay.
SOUTH AMERICA
In South America, many countries follow cuarentena, a 40-day rest period. During this time, mothers avoid heavy work and sexual activity, eat warm foods, and are supported by family members who take over cooking and childcare. The practice is widely observed across the region but depends on strong family networks, as it is not government-funded. Wealthier families in cities may hire helpers, but for most, care remains family-based.
WESTERN EUROPE
In the Netherlands, "kraamzorg" provides 8–10 days of in-home support by maternity nurses, including medical checks, guidance, and help with household tasks. It is government-funded and widely accessible. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, "wochenbett" lasts 6–8 weeks, with midwives visiting mothers at home to monitor recovery and baby’s health.
Both models are covered by insurance and ensure universal access, though only kraamzorg directly includes household support.
UNITED KINGDOM
Postpartum care in the UK is primarily delivered by government-funded midwives and health visitors. Midwives provide home visits during the first 10 days, followed by health visitors who check on both the mother’s emotional well-being and the baby’s growth, feeding, and immunizations. This care is universally accessible but focuses more on monitoring than easing the mother’s daily burdens.
OCEANIA
In Australia and New Zealand, mothers typically receive government-funded care for the first few weeks after birth. This often involves home visits that focus mostly on babies' health, such as feeding, weight and development, with some checks for mothers' recovery.
Indigenous traditions, such as those of Aboriginal communities in Australia or Maori in New Zealand, emphasize mothers' rest and shared responsibilities among extended family members, who help relieve household duties.