When I first came across the 5-5-5 postpartum rule, it didn’t feel new to me.
It felt familiar.

As a Nigerian woman, and one married to an Igbo man, who lives in a Yoruba-dominant state, I grew up around unspoken laws about childbirth; laws that were never written down, yet deeply respected. Long before blogs and wellness trends gave postpartum recovery a name, our cultures already understood one truth: a woman needs time to heal after birth.

The 5-5-5 rule simply puts structure to something many of us already know instinctively.

For those unfamiliar, the rule suggests that after childbirth, a mother spends:

• 5 days in bed,
• 5 days on the bed,
• 5 days around the bed.

Fifteen days of intentional slowing down, resting, bonding, and allowing the body to begin its recovery.

But in many cultures around the world, especially across Africa, fifteen days is only the beginning.

What I Learned From Home

In Igbo culture, there is a strong belief that both mother and baby should stay indoors for up to three months after birth. This isn’t about isolation or fear, it’s about protection. Protection of the mother’s body, which has just gone through something monumental. Protection of the baby, who is still adjusting to life outside the womb.

In Yoruba tradition, while the period may be shorter (often around one month) the intention is the same: rest, nourishment, and recovery. A new mother is not expected to “bounce back.” She is expected to be cared for.

And then there is amugwo, an Igbo practice that deserves to be spoken about more openly, especially among African women raising families away from home. During amugwo, the mother of the new mum (the mother-in-law too takes her turn after) comes to stay for the three months. Her role is clear:
She takes over the practical work so the new mother can heal.

• She bathes the baby, massages the baby, holds and soothes the baby.
• She cooks, cleans, and watches over the mother.
• She ensures the new mum eats well, sleeps when she can, and is not left alone with the weight of everything.

At its core, Amugwo says, recovery is communal.

This Isn’t Just African, It’s Global

What struck me most about the 5-5-5 rule is how closely it mirrors traditions far beyond Nigeria.

In Chinese culture, there is a long-standing practice called “sitting the month.” For about 30 to 40 days, a new mother stays indoors, rests, eats warm nourishing foods, and is supported by family members or carers. She doesn’t rush back into normal life. Healing is treated as a serious, necessary phase, not a luxury.

In parts of Latin America, there is la cuarentena — a 40-day postpartum period where mothers are encouraged to rest, avoid strenuous activity, and receive hands-on support from female relatives. Again, the message is consistent: birth is not something you recover from overnight.

Different cultures. Same wisdom.

Why This Matters Even More for Moms Over 35

At momat4ty, I speak often to women who became mothers later in life, women over 35 who are navigating pregnancy and postpartum with fuller lives, established careers, and bodies that may need more time to recover.

For many of us, there is also pressure. Pressure to prove we can “do it all.” Pressure to return to work quickly. Pressure to show strength instead of asking for help.

But our cultures, African cultures especially, never expected women to carry postpartum alone. They expected community, patience, and time.

The 5-5-5 rule gives language to that truth. It gives older mothers permission to slow down without guilt. To say, “I am healing.” To honour their bodies instead of rushing them.

Bringing the Wisdom Forward

You don’t need to follow the 5-5-5 rule perfectly.
And you don’t need to recreate Amugwo exactly as it happens back home.

What matters is the principle behind it all:

• Rest is not weakness.
• Healing is not optional.
• Support is not something you earn; it is something you deserve.

At momat4ty, this conversation matters because too many women, especially the African women, are navigating motherhood in systems that were never built with us in mind. Remembering these traditions isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about reclaiming wisdom that still serves us today.

Sometimes, the most modern advice is simply a reminder of what our mothers and grandmothers already knew.

So take your maternal leave seriously and ensure your community is there to support you.

xoxo

Sush