A person’s first birthday marks the start of a new human life. But, it is not the only day that is celebrated. In Singapore, it is customary for Chinese parents to celebrate a baby’s full month. However, in recent years, the 100-day celebration has been on the rise, becoming more popular with millennials in their mid-twenties to early thirties. Now, what is the difference between the two? Read on to find out.
What is the full month tradition?
After a baby is born, the next event he or she will typically go through is the full month celebration, also known as ‘man yue’ (满月) or full moon for literal translation. As the name suggests, a baby’s full month celebration is done when the baby is a month old or 30 days old. This is a Chinese tradition to celebrate a baby’s good health and it also symbolises the end of the mother’s confinement period. It is a day for parents to “show off” their child to family and friends by having a get-together.
While usually done at home, more parents are now opting to hold the event elsewhere, like at a restaurant or a hall. Regardless of the location, the traditions that come with it remain, although not necessarily done during the event. Among them are:-
1. Mother’s first bath/shower
As this day also signifies that a mother is done with her confinement, this is the day where she is to take a shower in pomelo leaves and wash her hair. Today, there are many mothers who do not follow through with the 30 days of no water. However, it is still practised as a tradition.
2. Baby’s first haircut
Sometimes, a professional is invited to carry out this custom of cutting or shaving a baby’s hair for the first time.
3. Prayers
Incense is burnt and food is offered to ancestors and deities as a form of respect, to inform them that there is a new addition to the family and to ask for blessings and protection.
4. Announcement of baby’s name
Although this is not really practised now, a baby’s Chinese name was usually announced during the gathering.
5. Gift-giving
Parents would give gifts to family, friends, and relatives which include symbolic food like hard-boiled eggs that have been dyed red for good luck and ang ku kueh (red tortoise-shaped cake) for longevity, although some may differ according to dialects. In today’s modern generation, a full month box or baby full month celebration package can be ordered and may include cake, tarts, or toys too.
In exchange, parents would be on the receiving end of gifts that could range from traditional symbolism like gold bangles, necklaces, or anklets, to practical items that the baby needs like diapers or a baby car seat, depending on the gifter. Some may even choose to give an ang pow (red packet) with cash instead as a simple gift and leave it to the parents to decide what to use the money on, whether to purchase something for the baby or to save it.
What is the 100 days tradition?
The 100 days tradition comes from East Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and China, and is growing in popularity in Singapore. While celebrated differently in those countries, Singaporeans celebrate it quite similarly as how they would the full month celebration.
The main difference would of course be the date of the event which is 100 days after the baby is born instead of 30. And traditional practices like the mother showering for the first time would be done earlier, around the 30-day mark. But the baby’s first haircut or announcement of name might be done during the event. It is up to the parents to decide what to include in the gathering.
One of the main reasons why more parents are deciding to have the gathering on the 100th day instead of the 30th is actually quite simple. It is because it gives them more time, especially the mother. At 30 days, the mother is fresh out of the confinement period or only just getting back her normal routine while incorporating her baby in them. So, it is quite rushed for parents to prepare such an intimate event when they’re still in the process of getting their lives more organised, especially if they are first-time parents.
Whereas by holding the gathering on the 100th day, at this point, the mother would have fully recovered, the baby would have gained better immunity, and a breastfeeding schedule would have been developed between mother and child. Furthermore, it gives the parents a chance to plan a big party at a bigger venue. Many couples would spare no expense and go all out, from hiring event planners to decorate up the place to ordering a huge multi-tier cake to preparing catering for tens to hundreds of guests to even hiring magicians to perform during the event.
Now, with the gathering done on a bigger scale, guests might worry about the gifts that they should prepare, perhaps wondering if the gifts might differ from those given during the traditional full month. This is not true. Any gift is welcome as it is the thought that counts. A baby 100 days gift and a baby’s full month gift can be very similar, except there might be some considerations. For instance, gifting clothes or diapers of a bigger size as babies grow out of them very quickly.
A baby 100 days gift does not have to be difficult to figure out. Here at Celegift, we offer a wide range of products that are suitable to be gifted from Mum’s Favourites to Baby Must-Haves, such as breast pumps, night lights, organisers, toys, and books. With the aim to make the whole process of celebration, treat sharing, and gift-giving a smooth one, this first-ever Singapore one-stop gift registry gives both parents and guests the fun and opportunity of making a personalised wishlist or customised gift. So, what are you waiting for? Head on over now!
