Within 30 days of childbirth, Hmong mothers will usually only eat warm foods. A common practice is to restrict the diet to rice and chicken only, and no vegetables. Chicken must be boiled, not fried. However, Hmong vary the diet depending on the child s medical condition. Herbal medicines are added to the meal in small amounts.
Spiritual treatments involve religious ceremonies and food or animal sacrifices.
Diarrhea herbs boiled with tea, massage, placing warm paper ashes over the abdomen. Surgery is usually not acceptable. However, if laboratory or other tests identify a disease, then Hmong are willing to consider surgery. This is traditionally not acceptable. Hmong believe it is not a good idea to put something into their bodies.