Why We Chose Not to Hire a Confinement Nanny.

Last year at this time, I was almost at the end of my confinement.

I remember feeling exhausted, slightly emotional, and unsure if I was doing things “right.” Now, one year later, I mostly feel gratitude.

When we found out I was pregnant, we already sensed we probably wouldn’t hire a confinement nanny.

Not because we thought we could handle everything.

And not because we think it’s unnecessary.

It just didn’t feel like the right fit for our space, our personalities, and the kind of postpartum recovery I wanted.

🏠 Our Living Space

We were living in a small two bedroom, one bathroom apartment. One room was mostly storage.

Even with just the two of us, sharing one bathroom required coordination. Adding another adult into that same space for an entire month felt overwhelming.

Postpartum is such a vulnerable season. You’re recovering physically, adjusting emotionally, and learning newborn care all at once. I knew I would want privacy and quiet in my own home.

🌿 The Kind of Confinement I Wanted

I didn’t want a very strict confinement.

I wanted warm meals, enough rest, and support. But I also wanted flexibility.

If I felt like showering normally, I wanted to.

If I drank cold water, I didn’t want to feel stressed about it.

I didn’t want to spend my recovery month navigating different beliefs inside my own house.

🤱🏻 Breastfeeding Expectations

I was quite set on trying breastfeeding.

Which meant night feeds would most likely be on me. Skin to skin, cluster feeding, figuring out latching. I expected baby would be with me most of the time.

At some point I asked myself honestly what kind of help I truly needed.

If I was already doing most of the feeding and bonding, would a live in arrangement bring me peace, or would it add another layer of adjustment?

For some families, a confinement nanny is invaluable. For me, I realised what I needed more was emotional reassurance and a supportive partner.

💸 Financial Consideration

Because I delivered during CNY period, the rate was significantly higher.

We were already ordering confinement meals since our home was small and we didn’t want heavy cooking daily as the smell may linger.

When we looked at everything together, the cost did not quite align with what we personally needed in that season.

❤️ The Support We Did Have

We were not completely alone.

My parents live about ten minutes away and came almost daily for a few hours just to check in and help. My in laws supported in their own ways too.

It was tiring. There were hard days and moments of doubt.

But I did not resent it.

Looking back, that quiet month of figuring out newborn life together feels strangely precious. There is no single “correct” way to do confinement.

Some mothers feel most supported with a nanny.

Some rely on family.

Some navigate postpartum mostly with their partner.

Every support system looks different. For us, this was the right decision for that season.

And that was enough 🤍

#Confinement #PostpartumRecovery #FirstTimeMom #sgmom #motherhoodjourney