JanBB, my gf did not managed to get the CLs recommended by her friends, so she went to the forum and the feedback so far for PEM quite good so she just went to PEM paid deposit, she due in April, so can only feedback to you when she starts her maternity leave. The cost is 1800.
I did think about not having one for my #1, but my mum raised the red flag, say it will be hard to managed, I also browsed around and the confinement food are quite costly as well. So end up I went with one, the experience was so so, but the help was great especially when its night time and baby cries. Also during confinement, my CL say cannot touch water la etc, like wash hands less frequently, from her I also learn stuff like how to bath baby etc, since its my ages since my mum handled a baby
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For #2, I also hired one, same as #1, my confinement is 40 days. This time, I plan to just sleep and rest and not do anything, since when she goes, it will be me and 2 babies. So better take the chance to rest while I can. My new CL was telling my mum the soup and drinks we take during confinement is very important because its meant to help us build up our strength and health.
Like JanBB mentioned, sleep and rest important, for my first I wanted to do everything on my own, even night feeds, but really end up whole day also tired. So after 1 week, I also gave up and let baby sleep with CL, I just wake up to pump, store the milk and go back to sleep. Machiam like cow.