Designed in collaboration with Sahali Tsang, and Vivian Tran, to aid new mothers in their postpartum transition period.
Project Brief
What is the Sitting Month?
Sitting month - or 坐月子 (zuo yuezi) in Chinese, is a form of postpartum confinement, that is practiced in both Vietnamese and Chinese culture. This confinement was designed to assist the mother's recovery after giving birth. Extreme care is focused upon the mother, along with strict rules, such as: keeping the body warm, avoiding cold air/water, no bathing, no beef or shrimp, and most importantly staying in bed.
While these rules seem extreme, they have been followed for centuries and have evolved over time. In the past, the sitting month was intended to make up for the lack of proper healthcare available for postpartum. Recently this tradition is seen as an extra precaution for mothers to take. It has become a rite of passage into motherhood.
Objective
We want to create an environment that keeps the traditional importance of the sitting month, while adjusting to fit with the needs of modern mothers. To Chinese and Vietnamese families, the sitting month is time spent with each other. It allows for older generations to pass down childrearing knowledge to the next, and also serves as a buffer for mothers to take time for themselves before facing the outside world. In Western society, there is no dedicated time for these activities. There is an idealized version of a "strong' mother, that prioritizes their children above their own needs.
As Asian Canadians, we want to rewrite the narrative of the sitting month into something that focuses on the mother's health. Our objective is to create an environment that encourages the 'self-care' aspect of the sitting month, while also addressing the lack of community, by encouraging building a support network.
Deliverables
Carpet 215 x 150 cm
A space for mothers to stretch, rest, and breast-feed their baby.
Cushions
Triangle Cushions
Three cushions, that can be zipped together or used separately for pressure points and support stretching positions.
Donut Cushion
Cushions to support mothers during postpartum, in order to avoid placing pressure on sensitive areas.
Ideation / Sketches
The Pacific Ocean has played a significant role in many Asian immigrant's lives. It represents the journey that many of our ancestors have made across it.
The pattern of our carpet depicts a topographic map of the Pacific Ocean, and how it connects Asia and North America. This abstract imagery serves as a calming scene, that can act as a conversation starter among people. A catalyst for individuals to share their cultural traditions.
Stretches Examples
