Why Korean Parents Treat Bringing Home a Newborn Like a Secret Mission

For many Korean parents, bringing a newborn home from the hospital feels like embarking on a top-secret mission.

Every move is meticulously planned from the moment the baby leaves the hospital. The infant, cozily bundled in multiple layers of blankets, is swiftly whisked through the parking garage and into the car. There’s no pit stop – it’s a straight shot home.

Once they reach the home’s parking area, the parents rewrap their precious bundle—shielding the little one from the sun and wind—before making a mad dash inside. And just like that, the 100-day tradition of voluntary seclusion begins.

In Korea, there is a time-honored custom of keeping newborns indoors and limiting visitors during the first 100 days after birth. This practice is rooted in the belief that it helps protect the baby’s developing immune system from external germs and infections. In earlier times, when infant mortality rates were alarmingly high, reaching the 100-day milestone was a significant cause for celebration.

Today, with advancements in healthcare, parents are not as rigid about following the 100-day rule.

Yet, like any deeply ingrained tradition, it still sparks debate among new parents. It also shines a light on the generational gap: When older family members see a one- or two-month-old baby out and about with their parents, they might raise an eyebrow—seeing it as a risky move that prioritizes parental convenience over the baby’s well-being.

“I’m a new mom with a 54-day-old baby. Is it okay to take a stroll outside? How far do you usually venture?” one mom asked in an online parenting forum.

For some parents, especially those managing newborn care on their own, the 100-day lockdown—although meant to safeguard the baby—can feel incredibly isolating and might even contribute to postpartum blues. The loneliness can hit even harder in a world where apartment living is the norm and neighbors are often strangers.

So, if your Korean friend has just had a baby and seems to be in full quarantine mode, turning down visitors left and right, don’t take it personally. It’s just the 100-day rule in action.