The Chinese people are fabled to be the descendents of dragons. This idea continues today as the dragon is favored among all the signs of the zodiac. Take a peek inside at the newest little dragons just starting down their lucky paths. Peter Krasnopolsky, new dad of son Tim, has these wise words for the babes: "Enjoy wetting and pooping in your diaper while you can, because when you are an adult, these activities become frowned upon."

New moms of these precious little dragons or brand new snakes might have a few questions regarding after-birth recovery and nutrition. Here are a few tips from Dr Wang Huixia, an obstetrician at United Family Healthcare.

How to prevent postpartum depression?

Everyone has a little bit of postpartum depression. The important thing is to have company for the mother. It is great if the husband can communicate with her more and take on some of the childcare, such as bathing or feeding. The family members should also say comforting and encouraging things to the mother.

How can new moms stay healthy?

The mother should get fresh air and maintain basic hygiene like everybody else. Because her body is undergoing many changes, she shouldn't shower for too long. It's recommended to shower at about body temperature - 40 C - and for no more than 20 minutes. Windows should be open from time to time to get air in. Right now, the air quality may not be ideal, so green plants can be used at home to help with ventilation.

What should the mother watch out for, nutrition-wise?

There is not anything that's taboo, food-wise. But she should try and avoid cold, uncooked foods. Fruits should be skinned and washed before consumption. She should also try to avoid eating in restaurants, where excessive oil might be used.

What helps generate breast milk?

The mother should drink 2,000 to 3,000 milliliters of fluids (such as water or soup) everyday. Also, the mother's body fat directly affects the baby's nutrition intake. The week after giving birth, the mother should try avoiding heavy oil. But after a week, foods like chicken or pork can be reintroduced into her diet. Even though drinking fluids is important, it doesn't mean the mother should eat soup only.

Should new moms avoid medication?

All medications will unavoidably enter the breast milk; it's just a matter of how much. Moms should check with their doctors before taking any medication during the breast-feeding period.

How to shed those baby pounds?

It's not preferred for the mother to do heavy exercise before her after-birth checkup (usually around six weeks after giving birth). After the checkup, if her health is fine, she can start low-impact exercise, such as yoga, sit-ups or swimming.