On the hunt for confinement centres in Singapore?
Once you get pregnant, getting ready for the baby can feel a bit like having a list to check off. Find gynaecologist, make a birth plan, attend some birth classes and go on some hospital tours.
After that, the planning gets a little more tricky – what kind of help do you want (or need) once the baby is actually home and you’re exhausted, trying to recover from the birth, and trying to master breastfeeding (and hormones)?
Confinement nannies could be an option. However, the in-demand ones are often booked six months in advance. Plus there will be space and privacy issues as well as they are usually live-in. Mums and mother-in-laws could also be an option…but there are lots of issues that can arise with that kind of help too.
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Today, there is another option that is now possible in Singapore – confinement centres. Popular in Taiwan and Mainland China, Singaporeans are now turning to confinement centres across the straits in Johor Bahru, Malaysia due to cost, budget, and currency exchange.
A cross between a hospital maternity ward and a five-star hotel, these centres are where new mums can live for a month, and have their newborns professionally cared for in nurseries. Mothers can recuperate and have nannies help with the bathing and care of their babies, while also learning how to breastfeed and otherwise care for their newborns.
However, trekking across the causeway isn’t always feasible for new parents. So we’ve found three established options right here in Singapore. Bear in mind prices can be incredibly steep, but if you need space, attention, care, and a peace of mind, it might just be worth it.
New Life Confinement Centre is located at Bukit Timah. It’s been around since 2016, and the suites are your typical Singaporean landed property decor and spacious layout.
The full 28-day package is priced at $19,888 and is very comprehensive. You get:
- Dedicated nanny, 24 hours on call
- Personalised confinement herbal soup
- Herbal bath, hair wash, foot bath
- 5 Confinement meals per day
- Breast lactation massage
- Post-natal massage x4 sessions
- Facial x2 sessions
- Newborn photography
- Family photography
- Transport from hospital to confinement centre
Note that your husband is welcome to stay with you throughout the 28 days as well. However, his meals will not be provided. If he wants to enjoy the same yummy (and very nourishing!) confinement menu as you, it will come with a daily charge.
If budget is a factor, you can opt for a cheaper $12,888 for 14 days in New Life’s confinement centre, with 14 days of nanny care at your own home.
Due soon? You might need to top up an extra $1,500 for the Lunar New Year surcharge, and $2,000 if you have twins.
New Life Confinement Centre is located in Bukit Timah. Exact location undisclosed. WhatsApp: 9467 2588. Visit its website for more information.
Located along East Coast Road, Clover Suites is a very new confinement centre that just opened in 2020. The confinement centre occupies an entire four-storey building in Siglap, although there are only nine suites within.
There are two types of suites you can choose from:
- Deluxe room ($13,888 for 28 days)
- Premium room ($15,888 for 28 days)
Its hybrid approach to postpartum recovery is poised to combine both Traditional Chinese and western treatment modalities. However, the package inclusions is comparatively lacking:
- 5 Confinement meals per day
- Post-natal massage x1 session
- Breast lactation massage x1 session
- Facial x1 session
- Herbal hair wash x1 session
There’s also no mention if your husband and other children will be allowed to stay.
If you’re on a budget, Clover Suites is the cheapest at $7,888 to $9,888 for a 14-day stay. However, for this cheaper package, you only get five confinement meals per day along with your rental.
Compared to New Life Confinement Centre, Clover Suites’ rooms and facilities are much newer and trendier. However, New Life’s package is way more robust than Clover Suites’.
The Clover Suite is located at 697 East Coast Road. WhatsApp: 9722 5076. Visit its website for more information.
Kai made the news throughout the Covid-19 years for being the expensive, luxury postpartum confinement suite in Singapore. It opened its doors in 2020 – an opportune time when privacy, space, and geography abruptly became pressing concerns for many pregnant mothers.
Located along the upscale Dunearn Road, Kai’s proposition and target audience is very clear. At $29,000 for 28 days, you can expect seasoned nurses from hospitals’ maternity wards, hotel-like ambience and service, gourmet confinement foods, and mother’s wellness massages. Here’s a list of what you will get:
- 24-Hour Nurse care
- Traditional Chinese Medicine: Weekly consultation
- Confinement meals
- Breast lactation massage: Weekly
- Herbal bath: Daily
- Housekeeping: Daily
- Limo transport to and fro hospital
- Limo transport home after check-out
- Baby’s necessities
- Laundry service
- Parking
The package veers on the usual five-star hotel concierge experience. Although the only thing that’s missing, compared to New Life and Clover Suites, is the package-included postpartum massages and facials.
The entire estate houses 18 mothers at any given time, and husbands are welcome to stay too to provide support and bonding time with baby and mother.
If you’re on a tighter budget but would still like to experience this once-in-a-lifetime luxury, you can opt for the 14-day $16,000 package.
Since prices are very steep, you and your spouse might like a visit to check out the space and facilities beforehand. You can WhatsApp Kai Confinement to arrange for a site visit any day of the week. You’ll get to tour the nursery and suites, and top up $68++ for a trial confinement meal.
Kai is located at 26 Dunearn Road. WhatsApp 8877 0222. Visit its website for more information.