5 Reasons to Hire a Confinement Nanny
Finally home with baby and realise you can’t do it all? Most pregnant woman discount the amount of rest needed postpartum. Before you end up burnt out, why not consider an extra pair of hands to help you through the first month? Hiring a confinement nanny is an excellent choice. Besides helping new mothers to care for their newborn, confinement nannies ensure an easier recovery, and on top of that, they perform light household chores such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. Traditionally using Chinese practices, confinement nannies are older, experienced women specializing in care for baby and mother’s health. In a nutshell, here are five reasons why you should hire one to help you break through the other side!
1. Get a ‘soft landing’. After checking out of the hospital with your newborn, you are assured postnatal recovery will be easier when you transition back home. To encourage healing, your confinement nanny will nurse you back to health and take care of your newborn so that you will get ample rest. She will cook meals for you, provide baby care for your newborn (such as feeding and bathing), and do laundry. And, if you are lucky enough, she is also willing to do grocery shopping and light cleaning for your home (within reasonable means, of course). Imagine passing on all these chores to someone else!
2. Get rest during your postnatal period. You will be able to have peace of mind knowing that you can pass on the care of your newborn to your confinement nanny. If you are breast-feeding, you only need to wake up for feeds and are then able to sleep when your newborn is sleeping. Pass on the changing of nappies, burping, and bathing to the nanny. She will take care of all that so that you can simply focus on recuperating.
3. Get trained in babycare. Do you know how to trim your newborn’s nails? Or the right technique to bathe your newborn? Watching videos and attending prenatal classes on baby care will never compare to doing it real-time. While your confinement nanny is with you for some time, learn from her. There tips to be imparted by experienced confinement nannies.
4. Get nourishment from confinement meals. Confinement meals use Chinese herbs and ingredients to promote recovery for new moms. Ginger, dates, and Chinese wine are common, but if you are not comfortable with such ingredients, you can request for them to be eliminated. A good nanny will still make nutritious meals for you, however don’t expect pork roast or some Italian dishes — they are usually Chinese meals!
5. Babysitter and night nurse all in one. Rather than hiring a babysitter, you can safely pass this task on to your nanny. Of course, it should be done during her stay with you. Plus, you do not need to hire a night nurse for late night feedings – just pass on the bottle to her and she will take care of it.
Top image credit: Valerie Lua