In many countries such as the USA, families celebrate with a baby shower before the baby is born. In traditional Chinese culture, however, the celebration usually takes place one month after the baby arrives. This is known as the baby’s full month celebration and it also marks the end of the new mum’s confinement period.
During confinement, it is generally considered inappropriate for visitors to see the new mum and baby. The full month celebration is therefore a special occasion where both mother and baby are formally introduced to extended family members and friends.
In Singapore, this is often a big celebration. However, when I had my first child, Mr K, we were living in London with no relatives nearby and only a small circle of friends. Before the celebration, the baby traditionally undergoes a hair-cutting ritual. We held a simple ceremony for Mr K at home. In this photo, my mum was holding him while I snipped a small lock of his hair to keep inside an ang pow (red packet).
This is my daughter, Ms C. Once again, we cut a small amount of her hair on her first-month birthday. Afterwards, we rubbed egg white onto her scalp. According to my great-grandmother, this old belief helps the baby’s hair grow thicker and healthier.
In Singapore, there are several ways to preserve a baby’s first hair. Some families keep it inside an ang pow, while others tie it with a red ribbon. Another popular option is turning the hair into a special calligraphy brush engraved with the child’s name or auspicious blessings.
A word of advice — even if you decide not to keep the baby’s hair, many elders believe it should still be disposed of properly. According to a story shared on Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories podcast on 16 August 2019, if a wandering spirit were to consume the baby’s hair, it could follow the child for the rest of their life. Because of this belief, some people avoid throwing hair out of windows or disposing of it carelessly. You never know what stories or superstitions people may hold onto!
Thanks to my cousin for sharing this photo with us.
In The Tiger Tales blog, she also wrote about her son and researched hair-cutting rituals from different cultures around the world.
Once the hair ritual is completed, the celebration begins. In Singapore, families may rent a community hall or venue, host the gathering at home, and serve buffet food for guests. Traditionally, guests are given cakes and red eggs. Families from Hokkien backgrounds may also include ang ku kueh as part of the celebration. Many bakeries even offer full month celebration packages to suit different budgets.
As we were living in the UK, we simply worked with what was available. My mum dyed the eggs red early in the morning so we could prepare them for our guests.
The colour red symbolises good luck, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture, while eggs represent fertility, harmony, and new beginnings. That is why the eggs are traditionally dyed red for the occasion.
This is one example of a full month cake box. They can range from simple traditional designs to very elaborate and modern creations. Some bakeries even place the red egg directly inside the cake box as part of the package.
During the celebration, the baby will usually receive ang pows (red packets containing money) or gifts from guests. My children were very fortunate because many of our relatives in Singapore sent stacks of ang pows through my mum. We carefully saved the money away for their future use.
This is a lovely tradition, and nice to keep a little bit of their hair. My son was only born with a small amount, but I will confess when it got long enough to cut I did keep a little bit.
I think that’s such a lovely tradition and it’s always nice having all the family together for a celebration and what better celebration than the birth of a baby.
I love the idea of being left alone for a month after the baby is born. It stops the new mum feeling guilty when she says she’s not up to visitors yet. These posts are excellent 🙂
What a brilliant tradition – I wonder if egg white would work on me not 😉
thanks for sharing.
I love this tradition – it seems far more sensible to leave mum and baby to settle and get into a routine before visitors start arriving
I know from my friend experience that they shave newborns head in Pakistan as a tradition. I always love to read you post about Chinese customs and culture, it’s so interesting! Thanks for sharing xx
This is a wonderful post. I didn’t know about that tradition and it seems so lovely 🙂 x
What a lovely tradition and great that you have managed to keep them up whilst in the UK!
I love reading and learning about Chinese culture, really fascinating. No idea how I would cope with confinement for a month though, after being stuck in hoaiptal for two days I was desperate to go out!!
I learn so much about Chinese culture from your blog – another informative post! Thank you x
Morning Eileen. I find it so interesting reading about your culture on the blog, you are educating me. 😉
It’s lovely to hear about various cultures. My other half is part greek and they too don’t allow the child out of the house for the first month. I remember taking my baby son out a few days old and a greek neighbour spitting on the floor to ward off evil spirits! I must admit I was a bit freaked!
It is always so interesting to read about the chinese culture. I would have struggled as a 1 month Baby didn’t have much hair to cut x
This sounds like a lovely tradition and I love the idea of one month’s confinement! Such gorgeous baby photos too, just so cute!
I just love of the different things they do its opened my eyes up .x
I really enjoy reading these tradition posts. They are so interesting. Thank you for sharing
What a beautiful tradition, I love reading about different cultures.
This is beautiful tradition, we also have the 1 month confinement in zambia too where only family and a select few can come see the baby.
Awww, so cute! I hated cutting my children’s hair the first time, but I think when it’s for a special reason it wouldn’t seem so bad – at least they had some too – my daughter was completely bald for about 18 months! 😀