The 4 Stages of Confinement: A Week-by-Week Guide to Postpartum Herbal Soups

Traditional Chinese confinement (坐月子) is followed in 4 stages, one for each week: Stage 1 Detox, Stage 2 Repair, Stage 3 Restore and Stage 4 Rejuvenate. Each stage uses different herbal soups, because a new mum's body needs different support as it recovers.

This guide explains what each stage focuses on, which herbs are traditionally used, and how our 28-Day Confinement Herbal Soup follows the same 4-stage structure, with a different soup every day.

Why confinement is done in stages

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, recovery after birth happens in order. The body first needs to clear what's left from the birth, then repair, then rebuild Qi and blood, and finally restore energy. Strong tonics are traditionally held back until the body is ready for them, which is why the order of the soups matters as much as the herbs themselves.

Stage 1 – Detox (Week 1)

Focus: traditionally used to help clear lochia and blood stasis, reduce swelling, dispel wind and ease postpartum constipation.

Soups in this stage include Six-Herb Tonic Soup (六味清补汤), Gentle Postpartum Cleanse Soup (温和排养汤), Four Treasure Tonic Soup (薏仁四神汤), Rice Paper Pith Lactation Soup (通草催乳汤) and Wind Dispelling Bak Kut Teh (祛风肉骨茶).

Stage 2 – Repair (Week 2)

Focus: supports uterine recovery, strengthens tendons and muscles, and helps prevent postpartum lower-back soreness.

Soups in this stage include Qi Boosting American Ginseng Soup (花旗参补气汤), Back Strengthening Eucommia Bark Soup (杜仲补腰汤), Four Element Tonic Soup (滋阴四物汤) and Muscle Strengthening Chestnut Soup (栗仁強筋汤).

Stage 3 – Restore (Week 3)

Focus: rebuilds Qi and blood, improves circulation, dispels wind-cold and strengthens the body's constitution.

Soups in this stage include Eight Treasure Tonic Soup (滋补八珍汤), Blood Nourishing Chinese Angelica Soup (当归补血汤), Immunity Boosting Morel Mushroom Soup (羊肚菌强身汤) and Moistening Cordycep Flower Soup (虫草花滋润汤).

Stage 4 – Rejuvenate (Week 4)

Focus: restores energy, nourishes the heart and mind, and supports skin and overall vitality as you finish your confinement month.

Soups in this stage include Ten Herb Tonic Soup (十全大补汤), Prince Ginseng Tonic (太子参元气汤), Yin Restoring Tremella Soup (银耳滋阴汤) and Anti-aging Fish Maw Collagen Soup (花胶养颜汤).

4 stages or 3 stages – what's the difference?

Some confinement programmes group recovery into 3 stages. A 4-stage approach gives each week of a 28-day confinement its own focus, so the detox week and the repair week are kept separate and you always know what this week's soups are doing for you.

Tips for following the 4 stages

• Follow the stages in order – each week builds on the last.

• If signs of internal heat appear, have the soups every other day while keeping them in order.

• Avoid raw, cold or greasy foods during confinement.

• Allow 2–3 hours between soup and breastfeeding.

• If you had a caesarean, are on medication or have any medical concerns, check with your doctor or midwife before starting.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the 4 stages of confinement?

Stage 1 Detox (Week 1), Stage 2 Repair (Week 2), Stage 3 Restore (Week 3) and Stage 4 Rejuvenate (Week 4). Each stage uses soups matched to what the body needs that week.

Can I have confinement soups after a caesarean?

Our blends are designed for both natural and caesarean births. As with any change to your diet after surgery, check with your doctor or midwife first.

Are the soups suitable while breastfeeding?

Yes, they are made for breastfeeding mums. We recommend allowing 2–3 hours between having the soup and feeding your baby.

Where can I buy 4-stage confinement herbal soup in Australia?

Order online with free delivery to major cities and metro areas Australia-wide, or visit our shop at The Glen Shopping Centre, Glen Waverley, Melbourne.

Start your 4-stage confinement

Shop the 28-Day 4-Stage Confinement Herbal Soup – 28 different soups across 4 recovery stages. Want teas and a herbal bath too? See the 28-Day Deluxe 4-Stage Confinement Bundle.

Our soups are culinary-grade herbal blends based on traditional confinement practices. They are not medicinal formulas and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have allergies, medical concerns or are on medication.