Why “Bouncing Back” After Birth Is a Scam

Let me ruffle some feathers right out of the gate: this whole idea of “bouncing back” after childbirth? It’s garbage. A dangerous myth wrapped in Instagram filters and fitness challenges.

I know because my wife and I just had our second baby. And this time, we decided to do something radical.

We didn’t bounce back.

Instead, we leaned into an ancient Chinese tradition called zuò yuè zi (坐月子). I call it the 30-day postpartum game-changer. And let me tell you: best decision we’ve ever made.

The Radical Act of Doing Nothing

Here’s how zuò yuè zi works: for 30 days after giving birth, the mom rests. That’s it.

No cooking. No cleaning. No errands. Just sleeping, healing, and bonding with the baby.

For my wife—who’s used to juggling ten things at once—this wasn’t just a lifestyle adjustment. It was a psychological shift.

And yet, it was necessary.

Western culture loves a “bounce-back” story. Moms hitting the gym six weeks postpartum. Running errands with a newborn strapped to their chest. But zuò yuè zi flips the script.

It says: Your body just did something extraordinary. Give it the respect it deserves.

The Rules (and Why We Broke Some)

Traditional zuò yuè zi comes with strict guidelines:

• No bathing for a month (to avoid “cold entering the body”).
• A diet of soups and tonics, rich in ginger and medicinal herbs.
• Zero stress, zero hustle.

We didn’t follow every rule. My wife showered (thankfully) and kept her Instagram scrolling game strong.

But we embraced the spirit of zuò yuè zi: recovery, nourishment, and family above all else.

The food wasn’t just sustenance—it was medicine:

• Chicken soup with black sesame oil.
• Red date tea.
• Pig trotters in vinegar (trust me, it’s better than it sounds).

We even hired a meal delivery service specializing in postpartum dishes. Every day, a grandmotherly figure delivered perfectly portioned meals steeped in ancient wisdom.

A Wake-Up Call for Dads

Here’s the thing: zuò yuè zi isn’t just about moms. It’s about family.

I relearned how to swaddle. Grandma heated the soups. Our toddler enthusiastically (read: chaotically) joined diaper duty.

Postpartum recovery isn’t a one-woman show. It’s a team effort.

And you know what? It worked. My wife is coming out of this 30-day cocoon stronger, calmer, and more centered than I’ve ever seen her.

Why This Matters

Zuò yuè zi is a 30-day reminder that healing takes time.

In a society that glorifies hustle and productivity, it tells us to slow down. Stop rushing. Respect the process.

For new parents: forget the “bounce back” mindset. Embrace the slowness. Order the soup. Rest like it’s your job.

You might just find the magic we did.

P.S. If anyone wants a recipe for pig trotter soup, hit me up. Just don’t forget the ginger.