How to Hire a Suitable Confinement Nanny/Pui Yuet for Your Family

If you’ve decided to hire a confinement nanny/pui yuet for your postpartum period, who to hire is a big decision. After all, the confinement nanny is entrusted with the utmost important task of taking care of the newborn; her ability to prepare nutritious yet delicious meals play an crucial role in the wellness and happiness of the mother. Furthermore, because she will work closely with every member of the family, the personal fit is more important than any other employee you might hire.

So how do you ensure you hire someone that really suits your family? In this guide, we will share 7 essential tips to help you.

1. Set clear expectations on the scope of service

Confinement nannies are independent service providers, and each person provides a slightly different scope of service. On the other hand, every family is unique, so it is important to give her an idea of your family, the division of labor and set clear expectations on the hours and scope of service. 

There are four general categories of service:
1. Newborn care
2. Postpartum mother care
3. Preparing postpartum meals and beverages
4. Performing baby-related house chores (such as handwashing baby clothes and bottles).

In a typical 8-hour working arrangement, nannies are expected to purchase fresh groceries from the market in the morning, prepare three meals and two snacks for the postpartum mother, prepare special handwashing and shower water, and take care of all baby related tasks. She is typically not expected to perform general house chores such as window cleaning, gardening, caring for pets or doing adult laundry.

If you have a helper or grandparents at home, who will be taking on some of the cleaning or cooking tasks, make sure to communicate this with the confinement nanny. Similarly, if you have special requests, such as cooking a larger portion of food for the whole family, or caring for an elder sibling, preparing extra snacks, handwashing certain clothing items, please let her know as well.

After all, at the same you are choosing the right candidate, it is also a mutual selection for her to work with a suitable family. Clear expectations and communications upfront go a long way.

2. Qualifications and professional training matter

Although there are no legal requirements in Hong Kong as to who can practice as a postpartum caretaker, the completion of the 152-hour Foundation Certificate in Post-natal Care Worker Training by ERB (Employee Retraining Board) is the pre-requisite most parents look for. To enhance their knowledge and skills, many confinement nannies also undertake supplementary courses from ERB on breastfeeding, confinement nourishment, infant massage and more. Another important qualification we recommend parents to check for is Infant CPR – this one is literally a life saver.

3. Review past employers' testimonials

As with many things in Hong Kong, a highly recommended confinement nanny hired and approved by multiple friends might be a good option. If you don’t have one like that lined up, you want to ask your potential hire for past employers’ recommendation letter. These first-hand accounts can give you valuable insights into the nanny's personality and work ethics. After all, there's no better way to ensure a pleasant recovery journey than by learning from those who have already been there.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that what worked well with other clients might not suit you, you need to read into the specifics in the recommendation letters and get into specific questions while interviewing confinement nannies.

4. Preview postpartum meals

Nutritious and delicious postpartum meals play a key role in boosting the mom’s happiness and aiding her recovery. A good confinement caretaker should be well-versed in the nutritious needs of women after childbirth, and be skilled at preparing customized meals based on individual tastes. To get a sneak peek on what to expect, request for photos of the nanny’s cooking for previous clients. Not only would that offer reassurance regarding your nanny’s culinary skills, but it would also give you something to look forward to- a month-long of hearty home-cooked meals!

5. Prioritize personality over experience

When it comes to hiring a confinement nanny, experience is a crucial factor to consider, but not as much as the nanny’s personality! For example, if you are a modern mom who doesn’t wish to observe confinement restrictions, a traditional nanny could become a source of stress, regardless of the years of experience she has. Another example is if you are taking a responsive parenting approach, you don’t want to hire an old-fashioned nanny who claims picking up the baby every time he/she cries will spoil the baby. Speaking from experience, first-time parents may seek more experienced confinement nannies for a peace of mind, while second or third-time parents look for fresher caretaker for ease of management.

Bear in mind that your confinement nanny would spend a significant amount of time with you and your family, so it’s wise to find one that matches with your family's values and lifestyle. A nanny who has less experience but fits your family may be a better choice than a more experienced nanny who you struggle to get along with.

6. Interview is key to a good match

You never really understand someone until you have had a face-to-face conversation with them. Before you hire a confinement nanny, you should arrange an interview either in person or online. Ask her how her typical day looks like, her practice on observing confinement rules, her favorite dishes to cook, and how she gets along with families. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions such as navigating family conflicts, supporting postpartum depression, dealing with health emergencies, etc.

To ensure she's got the technical know-how, ask her scenario-based questions such as:

- What do you do when the baby starts crying?

- What do you do when the mother does not have enough milk?

- What are the dishes/soups you would prepare to promote breastmilk production?

- How many pee and poop diapers should you expect per day?

- How can you tell if the baby is jaundiced and how would you deal with it?

- What can you do during the day to ensure the baby gets on a good sleeping schedule? 

During the interview, it’s also good to talk about salary expectations, and clarify all the compensations the confinement nanny expects (red packets, transportation subsidies, etc.)

7. Pay attention to contract terms

Whether you are hiring a confinement nanny directly or through an agency, always make sure there is a clear contract that lists out all employment terms. A contract should include the nanny's work schedule, reserve period, wage, deposit, holiday entitlement. When you hire through Parachute, we have already thought of all the potential scenarios and will prepare the employment contract for you, based on ERB’s guidelines. 

Congratulations, you have now learned 7 essential tips on how to hire a suitable confinement nanny! With the right caregiver by your side, you can enjoy a smoother postpartum recovery and focus on what matters most – enjoying those newborn cuddles.