As new parents in Singapore navigate the challenging postpartum period, selecting the right childcare and maternal support becomes crucial. With demanding lifestyles, finding reliable and confinement and newborn care has become increasingly essential. Two popular options that often come up in this discussion are using a daytime nanny or (part-time nanny) or hiring a full-time confinement nanny. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between a daycare nanny (part-time nanny) and a full-time nanny in Singapore.
Understanding Postnatal Care Options in Singapore
What is a Daytime Nanny?
A daytime (daycare) nanny in the Singapore context, often referred to as a part-time nanny, provides newborn care services for limited hours during the day. For new mothers, these professionals can assist with newborn care on a pre-determined schedule, usually during standard working hours. While helpful, their services are restricted to specific time frames, typically 8-12 hours daily, normally from 9AM to 5PM. These services primarily focus on the baby rather than the mother’s recovery.
What is a Full-Time Confinement Nanny?
A full-time confinement nanny (also known as a “confinement lady” or “pui yuet” in Chinese tradition) specializes in caring for both the newborn and the recovering mother during the critical postnatal period, traditionally lasting 28-56 days in Singapore. These experienced caregivers provide comprehensive support throughout the confinement period, living in the family home and available 24/7.
The Singapore National Population and Talent Division reports that approximately 70% of Singaporean Chinese families and an increasing number of Malay and Indian families engage confinement nannies for postnatal support.
According to the Association of Employment Agencies Singapore, the demand for confinement nannies increased by 35% between 2020-2023, reflecting their growing importance in Singapore’s postnatal care landscape.
Why a Full-Time Confinement Nanny Outshines Daytime Nanny in Singapore
1. Specialized Postnatal Knowledge and Practices
According to a study (Wong and Fisher, 2009), the traditional one-month confinement practice can protect new mothers by providing formalized social support and helping new mothers to adjust and improve their maternal recovery. Unlike daytime nannies who focus primarily on newborn or childcare, full-time confinement nannies are trained in:
- Traditional confinement food preparation to boost maternal recovery
- Specialized baby care techniques including bathing, umbilical cord care, and breastfeeding support
- Traditional postpartum recovery practices
One of our customer shared: “First of all, her cooking is amazing. Every meal was not just nourishing, but genuinely delicious—she really knows how to prepare confinement food that helps with recovery, but still tastes great.” (Google Review)
2. 24/7 Availability for Critical Early Weeks
The first month after delivery is often the most challenging for new parents. A study from National Library of Medicine found that mothers who received round-the-clock support during confinement reported 42% less fatigue and significantly lower rates of postpartum depression. Confinement nanny can provide guidance and support with breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and traditional confinement practices.Â
Full-time confinement nannies can assist 24/7 during this critical period, offering:
- Overnight baby care allowing parents to rest and recover
- Immediate guidance for breastfeeding challenges
- Always ready for mommy and baby’s care
3. Always there when needs help for parenting and baby care knowledge
A particularly valuable aspect of engaging a full-time confinement nanny is the knowledge transfer that occurs. According to most of the reviews from confinement agencies, it can see that parents who worked with confinement nannies reported significantly higher confidence levels in newborn care, where it includes feeding, changing diapers, bathing, and general care.
“She taught me a lot of practical parenting knowledge, such as teaching me and my husband how to burp the baby correctly (which reduced the chance of my baby spitting up milk) and how to feed the baby scientifically, which made me, a first-time mother, less nervous,” said Mommy kimm hu from Confinement Angels Google Review.
Why are some Singaporean parents looking for Daytime Nanny
Despite the advantages of full-time confinement nannies, some Singapore parents are still looking for daycare nanny due to these situations:
- When budget constraints are significant, and not looking for more than 14 days confinement
- Urgent assistance needed for few days only
- When parents prefer minimal disruption to household routines
- For families living in smaller apartments with limited space for a live-in helper
Cost: Daytime Nanny vs Full Time Nanny in the Singapore Market
Interesting fact is that: Do you know hiring a full time nanny can be more cost-effective compared to daytime nanny?
| Subject | Daytime Nanny | Full Time Nanny |
| Service Hours | 8 Hours | Full Day |
| Cost | Hourly Rate: $18 – $40/ hour Total Cost/ 28 days: $4032 – $8960 | Total Cost/ 28 days: $3800 – $5000 |
| Flexibility in babycare | No | Yes |
Some tips to help making decision in terms of hiring part time (daytime/ night time) nanny or full time:
The choice between a daycare nanny and a full-time confinement nanny ultimately depends on your family’s unique circumstances, values, and priorities. Consider these Singapore-specific factors:
- Housing Constraints: Do you have appropriate accommodation for a live-in nanny?
- Extended Family Support: Are grandparents or other family members available to help?
- Cultural Priorities: How important are traditional confinement practices to your family?
- Medical Considerations: Any complications during delivery that might require 24/7 specialized care?
Conclusion
While both daycare nannies and full-time confinement nannies offer valuable services in Singapore’s postnatal care landscape, full-time confinement nannies provide unmatched specialized support, round-the-clock availability, and cultural alignment that many families find invaluable during the critical postpartum period.
The ability to assist 24/7, prepare traditional confinement foods, and focus on maternal recovery alongside newborn care makes full-time confinement nanny arrangements particularly attractive for those who can accommodate this option. In Singapore’s context, where traditional confinement practices remain culturally significant and dual-income households are common, the comprehensive support offered by full-time confinement nannies represents an investment in both maternal health and newborn development.
Why Choose Confinement Angels
Confinement Angels, the first confinement nanny agency which has an in-house training centre with professionally-trained nannies in Singapore. So if you are looking for confinement nanny Singapore, you need not look further. Did you know – Confinement Angels has been awarded as the Singapore’s Best Confinement Nanny in 2024! Besides that, our confinement nanny Singapore agency provides a holistic service with different experiences to mummy and daddy so that you can get prepared for your parenthood!
Postpartum recovery has never been this easy and stress-free with Confinement Angels Nanny Agency Singapore. So, get your FREE confinement consultation now!
P.S – Known as the celebrities’ choice, Confinement Angels provides parents with complete peace of mind and maximum comfort by attending to every single aspect 108-hour syllabus, before being subject to another round of stringent evaluation to determine if they are ready to be deployed for assignments. Because at Confinement Angels, we go above and beyond to bring you only the best. We have won the best confinement nanny agency in 2024 awarded by theAsianparent Parent Choice’s Singapore.
