Is it really true that I will get headaches and joint pain if I don't follow the traditions of chinese confinement?

It is actually okay to take bath and wash hair during confinement. You can purchase Da Feng Ai (herbs for bath) from chinese medical hall and make sure you blow dry your hair after bath. During normal day, if we sleep with wet-hair we also will get headache and thus just to make sure your hair is totally dried after bath. Try to avoid catching cold by wearing socks and long pant during confinement as the immune system is still weak after delivery and thus if you catch cold during confinement it will take longer time to recover. For joint pain, it has nothing to do with confinement practices. If your postures are not correct (for long period) during lifting heavy stuff/carrying baby, it will affect your joints e.g. inflammation. However, it is important that during confinement try to rest as much as possible to assist in wound recovery. http://sg.theasianparent.com/confinement_myths_busted/ http://www.euyansang.com.sg/beware-these-6-confinement-myths/eysfertility1.html