For many cultures, a baby’s full month is an exciting milestone to be celebrated. It marks the end of the mother’s confinement period and the beginning of her new journey as a mother. Baby’s full month is celebrated in different ways around the world. Let’s take a look at its origin and how it has evolved throughout history.
Origins Of Baby’s Full Month Celebration
Baby’s full month celebration can be traced back to ancient Chinese culture that dates back as early as the 4th century BC when baby girls were considered a blessing for fertility and luck. The traditional ceremony was held on the 30th day after birth, during which family members would pray for their newborn’s health and longevity.
Modern Day Celebrations
In modern times, baby’s full month celebrations are still widely practised in many parts of Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Instead of traditional prayers, these celebrations now often include feasting with friends and family to celebrate this special occasion. There are also several goodies being served up such as red eggs (symbolising fertility), glutinous rice balls (known as “tang yuan”), sweet soups (representing sweetness) and other traditional Chinese desserts like “nian gao” (good luck).
But What About The 100 Day Celebration?
When you bring a new baby into the world, there’s something special about the 100 day mark. It signifies that your baby has made it to the milestone and is growing and developing successfully. But have you ever wondered why this particular celebration is so significant?
This tradition dates back centuries ago to when infant mortality rates were incredibly high. During these times, many families did not know if their newborn would make it past a few months old, let alone to its one-hundredth day. To celebrate such a momentous occasion, families threw a party for their baby in gratitude for its survival.
As time passed, this became an increasingly popular way to celebrate babies reaching this milestone, in addition to marking other important moments in their lives such as birthdays and christenings. Some cultures even believed that it was necessary to keep evil spirits from stealing away healthy children or harming them in any way by having celebrations on days like these.
Rise In Popularity?
Every culture has its own special ways of celebrating and commemorating the birth of a new baby. In Chinese culture, two celebrations stand out in particular—the traditional full month celebration (which marks the first month of a baby’s life) and the increasingly popular 100th day celebration. So why is this latter celebration gaining in popularity? Let’s take a look at both events and compare them to see what makes the 100th day so special.
The Full Month Celebration
The full month celebration traditionally marks a baby’s first full lunar month, with close relatives and friends gathering to congratulate the proud parents. During this event, mothers who have just finished confinement are usually expected to abstain from certain activities such as bathing or even leaving the house. Gifts are also exchanged between family members to honour their new arrival, while red eggs (symbolic of fertility) are often presented to guests as well.
The 100th Day Celebration
The 100th day celebration marks an infant’s first important milestone—100 days since his/her birth! This event has become increasingly popular among young parents for several reasons, not least because it gives mothers more freedom than is typically seen at a full month celebration. Furthermore, by holding it after your little one’s first 100 days, you can make sure that any potential health risks related to early confinement have already been addressed. Gifts are still exchanged between family members but they tend to focus on items that will help with your little one’s development such as educational toys or clothes. Red eggs still feature prominently too, but they may be replaced by other symbolic items such as mooncakes or oranges which represent luck and prosperity respectively.
Closing Words
While there is no right or wrong way to celebrate your baby’s birth, many young parents seem to be opting for the simplicity and ease of planning that comes with hosting a baby’s 100 days celebration rather than an elaborate full-month affair.
Celebrating your baby’s 100-day mark is more than just an excuse to throw a party; it’s a way of honouring your child’s strength and resilience while keeping alive an ancient tradition that has been passed down through generations.
The modern-day celebration of a newborn baby’s full month has evolved from its original roots in ancient Chinese culture but still remains an integral part of society today. From red eggs symbolising fertility to feasting with friends and family or even elaborate full month packages (cough, cough, hint, hint…Celegift packages…cough) – there are plenty of ways to celebrate your little one turning 1-month old! Whether you opt for traditional customs or modern-day twists – enjoy this special time with your little one! Have fun celebrating your bundle of joy!
Whichever option you decide on for your bundle of joy, just remember that what matters most is that you are creating lasting memories together! With plenty of love and care from all those around him/her and perhaps plenty of baby full month gifts, your little one will surely thrive regardless of how you choose to commemorate his/her newborn milestone!
