Is it really necessary to do confinement or is it just a Chinese practice?

In Asia, a lot of other cultures observe confinement practices (eg in Singapore, Malays and Indians). In the West (or atleast I know for sure in Sweden), their version of confinement means getting ample rest, eating healthy and bonding with newborn but without the "pantangs" and superstitions. South American countries have confinement practices similar to Asia's, known as "cuarentena". The issue of confinement is also linked to maternity leave. In some countries, where maternity leave isn't regulated, confinement might not be as widely practised. No matter what the cultural beliefs and legal policies surrounding new mothers globally, one thing is certain: every new mom needs all the help she can get in those first weeks after the birth of a child, which is what I feel confinement is about and why I feel it's necessary. Here's an interesting article about confinement practices around the world: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/care-after-birth-different-moms-different-realities_b_2970981.html