A baby’s full month means that it
is time to celebrate this important and auspicious occasion since the newborn
was brought home from the hospital one month ago. This tradition dates back
long ago before the advent of modern medicine, when infant mortality rates were
high. If a baby made it to his or her
first month safely, that boded well for survival. The mother would have
completed her confinement period and would be able to leave home and visit
friends and relatives. Thus the baby’s full month, or Man Yue.
Parents will take this
opportunity to celebrate their child’s auspicious occasion. There are many great ideas on how and where
to celebration this occasion in many advertising platforms.
What does celebrating baby’s full month involve?
Different cultures around the
world celebrate baby’s full month in many different ways. Typically, in Singapore a family celebrating a
baby’s full month will hold a party and invite guests to come to the party.
Most
of these parties usually take place at home or in restaurants. It is common to cater a buffet for the guests,
with traditional ‘auspicious’ treats like red-dyed eggs, ang ku kueh and
pickled red ginger. Your guests will come
bearing red packets (ang bao), baby hampers, toys or gift vouchers for
your baby. This is more like the Chinese version of
a baby shower.
Why do we offer auspicious foods?
In Chinese culture, red
represents luck, prosperity and happiness. Therefore it is very common to see
that ‘red’ foods are served for this occasion. Eggs represent new life and
harmony, while ginger is good for Qi. Ang Ku Kueh is
a traditional Hokkien rice cake popular in Singapore and Malaysia, shaped like
a red turtle and stuffed with a variety of pastes like peanut, mung bean,
durian and more. Turtles represent longevity and wealth, that is why they are considered a
must-have at baby’s full month celebrations.
