KUCHING: Confinement techniques are traditional processes that span 28-44 days postpartum to help women regain their physical and mental health while adapting to parenthood and caring for babies.
During this time mothers rest and receive support from their families and confinement care providers.
In Malaysia, each ethnicity (Malay, Chinese, Indian and other ethnic minorities such as Orang Asli and Sabah and Sarawak native people) has its own unique confinement practices associated with postnatal care regarding diet, daily routines and behavioural taboos inherited from the elderly.
Typically, confinement ladies (pui yuet or bidan) would receive a modest wage to either visit homes or stay with families to support mothers (preparing special diets and herbs and keeping the mother’s body warm via steaming or hot stones) and newborns (bathing, feeding, massage and night-time care).
In recent times, the shift towards urbanisation, higher educational levels among Malaysian women, and nuclear family trends have driven the demand for confinement practices that cater to different cultures and preferences.
Confinement practices are being commercialised via Confinement Centres operating as private businesses with mostly female staff, offering mothers a wide range of services (both medical and traditional), modalities (mobile or with a physical location) and prices.
Mothers appreciate these centers as part of their postnatal recovery, receiving the support of specialised staff like confinement ladies, cooks and dieticians to lighten their workload.
Some centres hire dedicated medical staff, either doctors or registered nurses, which has driven best practices in breastfeeding and infection control for staff and mothers.
In some cases, confinement centres also welcome husbands and older children to stay, allowing mothers to recover while receiving family support.
Over the past decade, Confinement Centres have been increasing in number, and are mostly located in Selangor, Penang, Johor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
Most cater to the Chinese community and their cultural practices, although some offer services for other ethnicities.
Confinement Centers are also recruiting and training women from low-income households and single mothers as staff, and therefore, provide important economic support for disadvantaged women.
This is particularly relevant for vulnerable women negatively impacted by Covid-19 with fewer working hours, job loss and general economic instability who can diversify their skillset, and earn an income stream during the recovery period.
Training modules are now delivered online, which has reduced training costs, making them more accessible to disadvantaged women.
Naila Syarfina Abdul Aziz also known as Naila Aziz, started her small beauty and spa business in 2015 as a part time job. The next year she was a part time massage therapist and now full-time businesswoman who owns Naila Aziz Beauty, Spa and Confinement Care.
She has learnt these skills from experience, formal course from Jabatan Wanita & Keluarga Negeri Sarawak, certified with SKM (Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia) and currently has five staff in her employ.
Recently she added a new product to her business which is preparing and selling confinement food and also as a caregiver.
Previously, a medical healthcare professional she has 18 years of experience in local and overseas hospitals.
“Family especially my husband and my dad, who just passed away due to Covid-19, supported me a lot in doing this business.
“We are offering varieties of service suited for women of all race and religion. My staff are all well trained massage therapists, some are spa therapists and we also have parttime staff namely registered nurses on hand to do basic postnatal wound dressing,” she said.
She said it is advisable to have confinement services because, right after childbirth, it is critical for every mother to go through a rest period to promote faster healing.
“It is crucial for both mother and baby to have a good rest. They require special care and attention in the postnatal period, especially new mothers. Mothers have to recover fast and prepare themselves to manage a baby. During this period, they need an extra hand that can offer them support, comfort, and postnatal care to avoid any health complications.
“A confinement lady can offer that comfort and convenience to new mothers, they handle all the hassles and make mothers relaxed,” she said.
Apart from that, the government has given a lot of support in order for Naila to sustain her business.
“Still building up the brand, since this service is still new, we are still in the process of getting more people to know more about our spa and increasing brand awareness. Besides, the economy is still slow since post Covid” she said.
She also shared that there are some strategies to stay positive in running a day-to-day business.
“We have to think positively besides always focusing on good things.
“To stay positive, we have to spend time with positive people and practice good vibes in our life,” she said.
“If there is opportunity and space, continue doing whatever field we are interested in and like. Don’t wait or hesitate. I started my business with RM30 as capital to buy massage oil.
“Slowly after many appointments , Alhamdulilah, I could expand the business to beauty (makeup), confinement care, confinement food, caregiver and in the process want to open a centre Insya Allah.
“If you make a profit, there are many opportunities from the government such as grant to start a business. So always take the opportunity.
“Great ventures start from small beginnings, and that includes your small business” she said.
For further information, contact Naila Aziz through Naila Aziz Beauty & Spa facebook.
