Nanny fees – From $2,500 onwards
Based on various online sources, hiring a confinement nanny for 28 days for one newborn will cost you between $2,500 to $3,500. Do note this is simply an approximate figure (nanny agencies are notoriously secretive about their price lists) and you may get a higher or lower price, depending on your actual needs.
For instance, the charges will go up if you have twins or triplets. Also, during festive periods such as the Lunar New Year, confinement nannies will become a lot more expensive, due to a lack of supply. You should be prepared to raise your rates if you happen to need one then.
Ang baos – From $180 onwards
Besides the service fee, it is customary to provide an additional token to your nanny. This usually takes the form of ang baos, which are given at the start and the end of the service period.
There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to how much you need to give, but traditionally “lucky” sums are appreciated, like $88 or $188.
Additional costs for Malaysian nannies – From $1,500
If the nanny you are hiring is coming from Malaysia, you’ll need to foot additional costs of around $1,500 or more.
Firstly, you’ll need to apply for a permit for your nanny ($35 per application), pay a monthly levy ($60 if the child is a Singapore citizen, $300 if it’s a foreigner), and purchase a foreign domestic worker insurance plan for her (approximately $250).
Then, your nanny will have to serve a seven-day Stay Home Notice (SHN) at a dedicated facility (she cannot serve the SHN at your home because your household members do not share her travel history) which will likely cost $1,000 (prorated from $2,000 for a 14-day stay), and take a COVID-19 test ($200).
Mattress and bedding for nanny – From $150
You’ll need to provide suitable lodgings for your live-in confinement nanny, which, unless you have a spare guest room handy, will mean buying at least a mattress, pillows and bedding for her to sleep in.
It pays not to be too stingy here – after all, a well-rested nanny is a happier one, and would be more accommodating and helpful.
Confinement supplements and herbal products
Depending on your heritage, your nanny may recommend certain traditional dishes or remedies that are believed to be beneficial (sometimes even compulsory) for women who’ve recently given birth.
To prepare these dishes, you may need to purchase certain ingredients, which can range from everyday sundries to medicinal herbs and exotic supplements.
Depending on the frequency at which they are consumed, confinement dishes and curatives can cost a few hundred dollars.
Kitchen equipment – From $200
In order to cook certain dishes traditionally consumed during confinement, your nanny may ask for certain types of cooking equipment.
You may find yourself having to buy new pots and pans, as well as slow cookers, double boilers and the like. Of course, if you already have them, or other kitchenware that can act as stand-ins, you won’t have to spend this sum.
Cooking for additional family members – From $100 per pax
Your confinement nanny is hired primarily to take care of the mother and baby, so it is not uncommon for some nannies to charge an extra fee to cook for the rest of the family too.
This is not completely unreasonable, considering that new mothers often have different dietary needs, and some confinement dishes may not be suitable for the rest of the family.
