Find out what all you should know before hiring a confinement nanny
You’re already into your third trimester and currently considering hiring a confinement nanny once you have given birth. While hiring one is usually a good idea, especially if it is your first child, finding one that suits your needs can be more of a hassle. We have come up with a list to check off before you interview a confinement nanny.
What are your needs?
The first thing to figure out before you hire or interview a confinement nanny is, ‘What are your needs?’ Ask yourself honestly if you even need a confinement nanny. Many mums out there forego the services of a confinement lady because they have their mother’s or mom-in-laws to help around the house.
Once you have decided that you need one, figure out if you require her to cook, do household chores and take care of the baby at nights or will she just be there to bathe the baby and massage the mummy and bind your tummy as well?
Next would be the duration. Do you need her just for a minimum of two weeks so she can help out while you recover from labour and get used to being a first time mum or do you need her to be there throughout your whole confinement period (30-44 days depending). Once you figure this out, you would be able to pinpoint what exactly you require from a confinement nanny.
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The budget
We aren’t going to lie, hiring a confinement nanny is going to be expensive, especially if she will be with you for a solid month. The going rates range from $50 – $100 a day and could set you back more than $2,000 if you take her for the full month.
The search
The best way to narrow your search for a confinement nanny is to ask around and get recommendations from friends. Recommendations usually mean that the nanny has been tried and tested and reviews have been positive. It would make you more confident of hiring her. If none of your friends or relatives know of anyone, you can also check out motherhood and local forums such as cozycot, singaporemotherhood and mummysg for more info on the local confinement nanny industry.
RELATED: Husbands can be your confinement helper
The interview
Here are the top five questions new parents should ask when they interview a confinement nanny:
- How many years of experience do you have as a confinement nanny?
- Are you able to guide new mums on how to handle the baby? (bathing, breastfeeding, changing nappies etc)
- Do you offer post-natal massages as part of your service?
- What are your charges?
- What food will you cook for the mother during the confinement period?
Did you find this information useful? Tell us which questions you would be interested in asking when you interview a confinement nanny.
The video below is a testimonial by a mum on how supportive her confinement nanny was in helping her with the breastfeeding process.