A confinement nanny supports newborn care and the mother's day-to-day recovery during a defined postnatal period. The exact job scope depends on the service agreement and household, so duties should be written down before placement.
Typical newborn-care duties
- Feeding support based on the parents' plan.
- Burping, diaper changes, soothing, and settling.
- Baby bathing and everyday hygiene.
- Washing and sterilising feeding equipment.
- Baby laundry and organisation of baby-care supplies.
- Simple records for feeds, diapers, sleep, and observations.
- Teaching parents the routines they will continue after confinement.
Safe sleep, feeding instructions, and any medical plan come from the parents and healthcare team. A nanny can observe changes and alert the parents, but she should not diagnose an illness or change a clinical plan herself.
Typical mother-support duties
Support may include preparing meals and drinks, setting up herbal baths if requested and appropriate, helping the mother rest between feeds, bringing the baby for breastfeeding, washing pump equipment, and keeping the immediate recovery space comfortable.
Good care is collaborative. The nanny should respect privacy, explain suggestions, and adapt when the mother or healthcare team chooses a different approach.
Meals and kitchen work
Many confinement nanny packages include meal planning, grocery lists, cooking, and cleaning the kitchen after food preparation. Confirm:
- How many people the nanny cooks for.
- Who buys groceries and controls the budget.
- Allergies, dietary restrictions, and foods the mother dislikes.
- Whether snacks, desserts, drinks, or herbal preparations are included.
- How menu changes are discussed.
What does light household support mean?
In many placements, light support focuses on the baby, mother, and areas used for their care. It may include baby laundry, keeping the kitchen tidy, cleaning feeding equipment, and simple floor cleaning.
Whole-home deep cleaning, heavy lifting, regular care of several older children, extensive cooking for guests, or duties unrelated to confinement may fall outside the agreed role. If you need these tasks, discuss them before confirming the nanny rather than adding them after arrival.
How does overnight care work?
Overnight support varies with feeding method, sleeping arrangement, and the package. A nanny may handle diaper changes and settling, bring the baby to the mother for direct feeding, or provide a prepared bottle according to the parents' plan.
Agree on rest arrangements for everyone. Exhaustion affects communication and safe care, so the schedule should be realistic rather than based on the idea that one person is continuously awake.
What stays outside a confinement nanny's role?
- Diagnosing or treating medical conditions.
- Changing prescribed medicine or feeding instructions without parent and clinician involvement.
- Using a baby's or family's image publicly without consent.
- Taking on major duties that were not part of the booking agreement.
- Making final parenting decisions for the family.
Legal and booking responsibilities
For a foreign confinement nanny working in Singapore, check the current Work Permit requirements with the Ministry of Manpower. Confirm whether the family or employment agency handles the application, fees, levy, insurance, travel, and cancellation.
Put the job scope in writing
A useful written scope covers baby care, mother support, meals, household tasks, night care, sleeping arrangements, rest, start and end dates, replacement terms, and who to contact when there is a concern.
Review NannyMoon's current care options, then use the matching interview to discuss how a nanny would handle the duties that matter most in your home.