A Glimpse into the Daily Life of a Japanese Mom and Baby in Tokyo
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Morning Routine
- Laundry and Bento Preparation
- Baby Food Preparation
- Breastfeeding
- Diaper Changing
- Sutan's Morning Routine
- Motoki's Morning Run
- Moe's Breakfast
- Nap Time for Sutan
- Moe's Hobbies
- The Cost of Giving Birth
- Traveling with a Baby
- Lunch with a Friend
- Moe's Husband's Restaurant
- Grocery Shopping
- Cooking Classes
- Bath Time
- Bedtime Routine
- Conclusion
A Day in the Life of a Japanese Mom and Baby
👩👧👦 Introduction
Being a mother is a full-time job, especially in Japan, where a day in the life of a Japanese mom is filled with various tasks and responsibilities. In this article, we will follow Moe, a 27-year-old new mother living in Tokyo, and explore her daily routine, challenges, and the love she pours into taking care of her baby, Sutan.
Morning Routine
🧺 Laundry and Bento Preparation
Moe's day begins early, even before most salarymen in Japan. While her husband and baby are still asleep, she quietly starts the laundry, making sure not to wake her baby. Morning time is also dedicated to preparing a bento, a traditional Japanese lunchbox, for her husband. It includes various dishes such as tamagoyaki (grilled egg), grilled fish, side dishes, and rice. Moe takes the time and effort to make a delicious and balanced meal.
🍚 Baby Food Preparation
Apart from the bento, Moe also prepares Rinyushoku, which means baby food in Japanese. Handmade baby food is more common in Japan, as store-bought alternatives are expensive. To save time, Moe prepares a large quantity of baby food at once, freezes it into ice cubes, and heats it when needed. However, mothers in Japan often feel guilty for not making baby food at home, prioritizing their child's nutrition and well-being.
💤 Sutan's Morning Routine
Moe's nine-month-old daughter, Sutan, starts her day with a diaper change. Moe ensures that she attends to Sutan's needs first thing in the morning. As Sutan grows older, her meals become more diverse. Today, she enjoys porridge with Natto (fermented soybean), broccoli, and Bonito flakes. Natto is one of the popular foods to feed babies in Japan due to its nutritional value.
🏃♂️ Motoki's Morning Run
While Moe takes care of the household chores and the baby, her husband, Motoki, goes for a morning run before starting his workday. It's important for parents to find time for themselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
☀️ Moe's Breakfast
After attending to her baby's needs, Moe finally has the chance to enjoy her breakfast. However, she often needs to accommodate her baby's feeding schedule and may have to delay her own meals.
💆♀️ Nap Time for Sutan
It's already nap time for Sutan, and Moe carefully puts her to sleep. She covers the crib with a crib cover and uses a white noise device to create a calming environment. During this time, Moe needs to be ultra-quiet to avoid waking up Sutan.
🎨 Moe's Hobbies
With Sutan napping, Moe seizes the opportunity to engage in her hobbies. She enjoys traditional Japanese activities such as wearing kimonos and shares her passion with others by teaching them how to wear kimonos. Moe also finds time to connect with others through social media platforms like Instagram, where she posts pictures of her kimono outfits.
💰 The Cost of Giving Birth
Moe shares that giving birth in Japan can be quite expensive. While the amount of financial support varies depending on the city or ward, the national average cost is about 420,000 yen (approximately $3,800). Moe, like many other mothers, relies on government support to ease the financial burden associated with childbirth.
🚆 Traveling with a Baby
As Moe goes out to meet her friend, she experiences the challenges of traveling on trains with a small child. Trains are the main form of transportation in Tokyo, and using strollers on escalators is prohibited. This forces mothers to find elevators, often inconveniently located, or plan extra time for their travels. Moe chooses her husband's kid-friendly restaurant, Casita, to avoid additional stress during outings.
🍽️ Lunch with a Friend
Moe enjoys lunch with her friend at Casita, a restaurant owned by her husband. Japanese moms typically need to check in advance if a restaurant is kid-friendly, as not all establishments accommodate small children. Friendships and social connections become precious support networks for mothers, as they navigate the challenges of raising children.
🛒 Grocery Shopping
On her way back home, Moe stops by a grocery store to quickly grab some items. Grocery shopping is an essential part of her routine, ensuring her family has fresh and necessary ingredients for meals.
🍳 Cooking Classes
Moe confesses that she didn't know how to cook when she was working. To improve her cooking skills, she attended cooking classes for about a year. The classes have paid off, as Moe now confidently prepares meals for her family.
🛁 Bath Time
With the day winding down, it's time for Sutan's bath. Moe utilizes an automatic bath system that fills the tub to a pre-set level and desired temperature. Bath time is not only a cleansing ritual but also a soothing experience for the baby before bedtime.
🌙 Bedtime Routine
As bedtime approaches, Moe follows a set routine to ensure Sutan falls asleep at a specific time. She starts a timer and ignores her baby's cries for a predetermined duration, teaching her child to fall asleep independently. While Sutan sleeps, Moe takes advantage of this time to complete house chores and take a well-deserved bath.
Conclusion
The life of a Japanese mom and baby is filled with love, dedication, and various responsibilities. From the morning routine to bedtime, every moment is spent ensuring the well-being and happiness of the family. Meo's story provides a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of motherhood in Japan.
📚 Resources:
Highlights:
- Follow Moe, a 27-year-old new mother in Tokyo, as we delve into her daily routine.
- Discover the challenges of being a mother in Japan and the love poured into taking care of a baby.
- Experience the morning routine of a Japanese mom, including laundry, bento preparation, and baby food preparation.
- Explore the unique aspects of raising a child in Japan, from breastfeeding to diaper changing.
- Witness the bond between Moe and her daughter, Sutan, and their routines throughout the day.
- Learn about the importance of maintaining one's own hobbies and passions as a mother.
- Understand the financial aspects of giving birth in Japan and the support available.
- Navigate the challenges of traveling with small children and the importance of kid-friendly establishments.
- Share a lunch experience with Moe and her friend at her husband's restaurant.
- Gain insights into the role of cooking classes in developing culinary skills for Japanese mothers.
