Top 10 Tips To Take Note When Getting a Confinement Lady

June 16, 2008

photo from Mrinkk

During the confinement month, it’s a time for healing after a hard time in the delivery ward and at the same time ensured that your baby is well taken care of as well. It’s a common practice to hire a confinement nanny when there’s no help available. We normally employ a confinement lady at registered employment agencies or hire a freelancer from Malaysia. When I gave birth to Ashlyn, my 2nd child, I hired a confinement lady and confinement was such a breeze. I felt like a queen and had a piece of mind that Ashlyn is well taken off. Here are some tips to look out for when hiring a confinement lady.

1. Market rate of a nanny
But before hiring one, the first concern is the rate. The current market rate of hiring a nanny range from S$1,900 to S$2,800 in Singapore. In the context of multiple birth, you need to be prepared to fork out about $300 extra. There are 2 kinds of nannies available. They are the stay-in nanny and the day nanny. The stay-in nanny stays with you for 28 days while the day nanny stays with you from 8.30pm to 6.30pm.

2. Meet the nanny session
It is very important to meet the confinement lady before hiring so that you could spell out your expectations. This is too ensure that both you and the confinement lady enjoy the month long relationship.

3. Provide a checklist
Make a checklist of what you expect to be done as it will prevent further conflicts and disputes later on when the 2 of you knows what to expect from each other. For instance, some nannies only take care of the baby and the mother while some are willing to cook for the whole family.

4. Cleanliness
Hygiene is very important as they need to cook and take care of the baby at the same time. As the baby’s skin is very delicate, make sure your nanny washes her hand carefully before handling the baby.

5. Baby handling skills
Safety is as important as hygiene when it comes to handling the baby. The nanny should be able to bottlefeed and burp the baby correctly too. Apart from that they should be good with carrying the baby and soothing her when she cries.

6. Making Observation on the baby
With the accumulated experience that she has, a confinement lady must be able to observe the baby well, as in to alert you when they notice the change in skin colour as newborns are more prone to jaundice. They should be able to tell if there are any unusual colouring or texture in the baby’s stools and urine and also any rashes on the baby’s body.

7. Cooking
The confinement lady will be cooking for you for 28 days and you need to eat well during confinement too. She should be able to be flexible to prepare meals to suit your taste and preference while planning for a nutritious diet.

8. Make sure she stays throughout your confinement
It is important for the confinement lady, especially a freelancer to space out her assignments reasonably so that she stays throughout the 28 days. Remember, you need a good rest to recuperate so if the nanny leaves before the end of the confinement, its going to be disruptive.

9. No nagging, please!
It’s nice to have a confinement nanny to share her experience with you and teach you how to take care of yourself but a nag causes irritation and causes you all the blues. So get one who respects your opinion though her experience might be valuable.

10. At ease with her
Finally, get someone whom you are at ease and comfortable with. Remember, you are going to face her for the whole month!

Posted in Confinement Services