There are a number of different techniques adopted by traditional practitioners in the holistic health treatment of
postpartum mothers in the three provinces covered by this research. These techniques all use recognized local
traditional knowledge. Yu Fai is the practice of sleeping near heat. It is believed that the heat will allow the
mother’s body to return to its normal pre-pregnancy state, boost the production of breast milk and maintain the
mother’s health. This ancient practice is beginning to change with the new generation of mothers, who consider
convenience above all else. The most common style of yu fai is with the female lying on a narrow stretcher or
wooden board. The mother must lay still so as not to roll off the stretcher. To the side, balefires or coal stoves
will be started, usually with specially selected fuel so as not to create too much or too poisonous smoke. An
alternative method is to place the fire under the stretcher. The mother will spend time in these conditions,
depending on local culture, and may not leave the heated room at any time for fear of sickness or disease, even
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taking their newborn with them in a specially crafted basket. Aside from this, the mother will also take hot
showers and only drink warm water during the postpartum period. Postpartum mothers are advised by traditional
knowledge to only eat certain foods, especially foods high in salt content as it is believed that these will allow
the mother to compensate for and replace the salt that was lost through sweating during the yu fai procedure. Yu
fai has been accepted and adopted as a beneficial practice across Thailand, although the details of the
implementation may differ by location. The husband and family must take responsibility for caring for the
mother during the yu fai procedure.