72 % of first-time Singaporean mums now hire through a confinement lady agency, yet many still wonder what the job covers. In one sentence: a confinement lady is a 24/7 newborn-and-mum specialist who handles feeding, recovery meals, light chores and coaching for 28 days.
This guide unpacks every duty, daily schedule, safety protocol, and compatibility tip, plus a printable checklist to vet your agency. Before you read on, visit PEM’s confinement nanny Singapore page for a quick-start overview of current packages.
What Is a Confinement Lady Agency in Singapore?
A licensed confinement lady agency acts as the legal employer of your nanny.
The company secures her Work Permit, medical insurance, and replacement guarantee, so you don’t have to shoulder the paperwork risk.
Using an agency also gives you a clear escalation path if personality clashes or medical issues arise, something direct-hire freelancers can’t match.
Legal Definition & MOH Classification
The Ministry of Manpower classifies confinement nannies as foreign domestic workers.
Agencies must apply for a Work Permit and provide at least SGD 15k medical coverage.
Failure to comply can lead to fines of up to SGD 5k for both agency and client.
Agency vs Direct-Hire: Pros & Risks
| Criteria | Licensed Agency | Direct Freelance |
| Work-perit handling | Included | You apply |
| Replacement guarantee | 3-day swap common | None |
| Cost (28 days) | SGD 3 200 – 3 800 | SGD 2 800 – 3 200 |
| Risk of illegal hire | Zero | High if the paperwork is wrong |
If the budget is tight but safety is non-negotiable, the agency route still wins.
Core Roles and Responsibilities (Master List)
Every confinement lady Singapore team follows a 5-pillar duty model outlined across eight top-ranking agency sites.
Below are the specifics you can paste into your job sheet when interviewing agencies.
Newborn Care Duties
- Bathing with cooled-boiled water and mild soap; cord stump sterilised with 70 % alcohol.
- Night-feed rotation every 2.5–3 hrs; logs milk volume and stool colour in a shared diary.
- Diaper-rare prevention: apply barrier cream after each change; air-dry bottom 5 min.
- Safe-sleep coaching: The baby is on its back, has no loose blankets, and is at a room temperature of 24 °C.
Post-Partum Recovery Support
- Prepares three main confinement meals and two herbal tonics daily
- Brews red-date longan tea and lactation soups; adjusts ingredients based on mum’s sugar levels.
- Gives warm herbal baths using express confinement herbal bath sachets to reduce wind and improve blood circulation.
- Performs light lactation massage; refers to IBCLC if nipple damage exceeds grade 2.
Household & Sibling Assistance
The scope is limited so that the nanny can prioritise recovery and baby care.
Typical list agreed before arrival:
- Wash, sterilise and stack bottles; air-dry on a dedicated rack.
- Baby laundry should be done only using baby-safe detergent; hang indoors to avoid haze.
- Sweep and mop the nursery daily; take out the diaper pail bag.
- Walk older siblings to nearby school if distance ≤ 1 km (NEA guideline for under-7s).
Knowledge Transfer & Routine Building
A good confinement lady service doesn’t create dependence.
Instead, she teaches:
- Breastfeeding positions: cross-cradle, football and side-lying.
- Burping techniques: over-shoulder vs sitting upright.
- 3-hour feed-play-sleep routine so parents can take over after discharge.
- Early cues: rooting, fist-sucking vs late-crying stage.
Daily Schedule Snapshot
Time-stamped log used by most confinement lady SG packages:
| Time Block | Core Tasks |
| 06:00–08:00 | Mum’s breakfast, baby sponge bath |
| 08:00–12:00 | Herbal bath prep, nap-trap routine, sibling drop-off |
| 12:00–16:00 | Nanny rest block (industry standard) |
| 16:00–20:00 | Dinner prep, bottle sterilising, laundry fold |
| 20:00–22:00 | Night routine handover, log update |
Mum can choose to follow the log or request tweaks on day 1.
Safety & Hygiene Protocols Every Agency Must Follow
Skipping these can void insurance and endanger the baby.
NEA Disinfectant Guidelines
The cleaning of nursery floors and changing mats must be wiped with EPA-approved disinfectants at 1:50.
Agencies failing audits face SGD 5k fines under the Environmental Public Health Act.
Work-Permit Medical Insurance ≥ $15 k
Always ask for the policy number and expiry date before signing. You can verify the permit status instantly on MOM’s FDW eService.
COVID-19 & Hand-Hygiene SOPs
Although border rules have eased, reputable confinement lady services still require:
- Antigen-rapid test on arrival day 0, 3 and 7.
- 20-second hand-wash before touching baby or breast pump parts.
- A disposable mask is worn whenever nasal congestion is present.
Compatibility Clause, What If It’s Not a Good Match?
Even the best confinement lady agency can’t guarantee chemistry.
Use this 3-step replacement policy used by top-tier firms:
- 24-hour feedback window: raise issues in writing with specific examples.
- Mediation call: agency coordinator joins to set measurable targets.
- 3-day swap: if targets aren’t met, a new nanny arrives before the incumbent leaves to avoid care gaps.
Keep a simple diary of incidents to speed up the process.
Cost Breakdown: Agency Packages vs Freelance Rates
Prices listed are for 28-day live-in care updates.
| Package Component | Agency Fee (SGD) | Freelance (SGD) |
| Nanny salary | 2 400 | 2 400 |
| MOM levy (payable) | 60 | 60 |
| Medical insurance | Included | 150–200 |
| Replacement guarantee | Included | 0 |
| Admin & documentation | Included | 200–300 |
| Total | 3 200–3 800 | 2 800–3 200 |
Hidden fees to watch: weekend surcharge (SGD 30/day), extra week extension (SGD 120/day), emergency replacement transport (SGD 80).
How to Vet a Confinement Lady Agency (Checklist)
Print this table and tick each box during your Zoom interview.
| Checkpoint | Where to Verify | ✓ |
| Valid MOM employment licence | MOM agency search | |
| Insurance ≥ $15 k | Ask for the policy PDF | |
| Replacement guarantee in writing | Clause in service agreement | |
| Recent testimonials | PEM testimonials | |
| Clear refund policy | T&Cs page |
When in doubt, request a short video call with the actual nanny before deployment.
Common Myths Debunked
“Confinement Ladies Are Maids”
They are newborn specialists, not general cleaners.
Heavy chores like window wiping or cooking for the whole household fall outside standard confinement nanny duties.
“They Only Cook Pork-Vinegar Dishes”
Modern menus include grilled salmon, quinoa porridge and vegetarian stir-fry.
Check PEM’s confinement rules for modern mothers for fusion recipes approved by dietitians.
Quick-Start Action Plan
- Book 4 months before EDD; popular months (May–July) fill fastest.
- Compare at least three MOH-licensed confinement lady Singapore packages.
- Download PEM’s service comparison sheet via the contact page to shortlist questions in under 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours does a confinement lady sleep?
Most rest is 4 hours during the midday block, plus 6 hours at night, totalling 10 hours of split sleep.
Can she care for twins?
Yes, but expect an extra fee for the additional workload and double bottle sterilisation.
What meals are excluded?
Spicy hotpot, sashimi and alcohol-based dishes are off-limits under NEA food-safety guidelines.
Conclusion
A licensed confinement lady agency delivers five non-negotiables: expert newborn care, post-partum recovery meals, light household help, lactation coaching and round-the-clock peace of mind. Verify licences, demand written replacement clauses and insist on transparent pricing before you sign.
Ready to shortlist? Begin with PEM’s dedicated confinement nanny Singapore page and speak to a licensed coordinator today.
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