Johanna Berger wrote:
> While the idea of a honeymoon with a newborn baby might be a great idea
> for some cultures, we need to take into account it doesn't work for all
> cultures.>  > I think the best thing would be to encourage mom and baby to
get into bed
> and let all visitors bring mom food, take the older sibling out to the
> playground, throw in a load of laundry, hold the baby while mom takes a
> shower.  Sort of a honeymoon with lots of help.
>
May I add that the very best gift I was given, years ago, after the birth of
my 3rd child, was 2-3 days of housework by a dear friend.  I gave birth on
the Thursday and come out of hospital on the Saturday (partly to prevent my
baby being given the *compulsory* top-up with artificial milk), which was
unusual in that era of long hospital stays.  My friend came over each day,
did the baby's washing, tidied up, kept on eye on the other children, and
busied herself in the kitchen, while I just stayed in bed with the baby (and
one of the toddlers).  By the way, that baby is getting married tomorrow, to
a lovely young woman.
   Chinese and other S-E Asian cultures have the "forty days" tradition,
when the mother is supposed to be taken care of after delivery.  There are
various prohibitions on what she is supposed to do, and special foods, e.g.
chicken soup.  Unfortunately, this custom isn't always used to support
breastfeeding, as it continues in places where BF has suffered a rapid
decline in the last decade or two.
                       Virginia
                        in sunny, windy Brisbane

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