Infant care or Maid/nanny?

[Zaylee]

Hi all,

Being a first time mum, I have alot to worry about My baby girl will be due in December and me and my husband are working FT. Sometimes i wish i could quit my job and be a FT mum but i can't do that. It will only result in a greater financial burden on my husband. And my company is really kind enough to hire me despite knowing i'm pregnant during the interview.

I really need some advise to which option is better and any good recommendation.

 

[frog]

Many of us here can relate to such a crossroad as we were once there, too. Having been in each of the options: mil, maid, infantcare - I would recommend infantcare. It should be one near home so that pick up and drop offs are easier, even on your day off.

Maid is heng/suay, similar to nanny. But because it is reliance to just once person, it could be an emotional rollercoaster dealing with one that is below expectations.

In infantcare, there are always more than one teacher. They are trained professionally, and there is a CCTV.

Also make friends with fellow mommies and neighbors, set up a network for yourself so that there is someone you can rely on when you need some time to yourself, when the baby is sick, when you are sick, etc. Also, involve the husband from the start so that they are used to parenting, too.

 

[Zaylee]

Many of us here can relate to such a crossroad as we were once there, too. Having been in each of the options: mil, maid, infantcare - I would recommend infantcare. It should be one near home so that pick up and drop offs are easier, even on your day off.

Maid is heng/suay, similar to nanny. But because it is reliance to just once person, it could be an emotional rollercoaster dealing with one that is below expectations.

In infantcare, there are always more than one teacher. They are trained professionally, and there is a CCTV.

Also make friends with fellow mommies and neighbors, set up a network for yourself so that there is someone you can rely on when you need some time to yourself, when the baby is sick, when you are sick, etc. Also, involve the husband from the start so that they are used to parenting, too.

Thank you, Frog! My main concern is also the cost of infantcare Is there any subsidies?

 

[lovely0315]

Hmmm... personally, I prefer nanny as it’s 1 to 1.. you may want to walk around at ur area and try to ask those aunties who are doing exercise if they know any nanny nearby...

As per what frog mentioned, it is still heng/suay.. for me, I thank God that I got a good nanny and I found her online..

Last time I was with my son at childcare center during his first week (the cc also provide infant care service), I saw some of the toddler was inside baby cot and making some noise but nobody attend to him/her (this is normal I as it happen at own house too, haha..), some was sitting at high chair and even fall asleep at high chair (this one.. I can’t accept).... of course I didn’t go n observe other infant care center, my frien does have good comment for infant care center..

You may want to read below for the subsidy..
https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/Child-Care-Infant-Care-Subsidy.aspx

 

[Zaylee]

Hmmm... personally, I prefer nanny as it’s 1 to 1.. you may want to walk around at ur area and try to ask those aunties who are doing exercise if they know any nanny nearby...

As per what frog mentioned, it is still heng/suay.. for me, I thank God that I got a good nanny and I found her online..

Last time I was with my son at childcare center during his first week (the cc also provide infant care service), I saw some of the toddler was inside baby cot and making some noise but nobody attend to him/her (this is normal I as it happen at own house too, haha..), some was sitting at high chair and even fall asleep at high chair (this one.. I can’t accept).... of course I didn’t go n observe other infant care center, my frien does have good comment for infant care center..

You may want to read below for the subsidy..
https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/Child-Care-Infant-Care-Subsidy.aspx

Hi lovely0315. Thank you very much for your sharing. Will look more into it!

 

[HWC2018]

I chose helper over infant care as me and husband couldnt pick up my LO from the centre before 7pm.

Also helper there will be someone doing your house work for you (especially during your off days, you can take the baby and helper do the major works)

Of course its your luck if you get a good helper anot.

Cost wise probably around the same range depending if you have subsidy for infant care anot. But infant care it is not 1-1 service as they have 1 person taking care of a few infant & if your baby is colic like mine need addition attention.. most of the time I guess they have to just leave the baby crying just like in hospital as they cant handle more than one crying baby at one time.

&& infant care if baby is sick you have to take them home almost immediately so will this affect your work schedule?

You can always install cctv at home to monitor your helper while you are at work also. Just tell them is for security purpose.

If you can get your mother/ mil to dropby your place during your helper first few month i guess she will know someone is watching and buck up
End of the day be firm but nice to them im sure they are usually fine.

Lastly helper can give you good night sleep which you n your husband need to prepare you for next work day.. infant care at night u have to tc yourself & is super challenging! Especially first 3 mths

Hope you find what is best for your family!

 

[DoubleQ]

Hi all,

Being a first time mum, I have alot to worry about My baby girl will be due in December and me and my husband are working FT. Sometimes i wish i could quit my job and be a FT mum but i can't do that. It will only result in a greater financial burden on my husband. And my company is really kind enough to hire me despite knowing i'm pregnant during the interview.

I really need some advise to which option is better and any good recommendation.

Hi, i choose helper. Yes its by luck when hiring helper. Same goes to our employer, its by luck choosing us as employee. Like us, helper come here to work for their family at hometown. All u need is to educate them. Trained them and teach them per ur expectation. Like our boss at work.

This is what i did to my helper too. She make mistake too but i approach and teach her. What u dont like ur boss to treat u, then dont treat your helper that way. I don't scold or shout at my helper personally or infront of others. I will talk to her separately. Ask her if she know what her mistake, why she cant do this n that, what will happen etc. She understand n obey. She also honest to me. Sometimea we are like friend but we do have gaps as employer and employee. Sometimes we watch tv together, cooking together when my mum around to play with her grandchildren, etc.

I dont send my kids to infantcare, cause its not 1-1, n easily to fall sick too. I rather helper focus on baby n housechore can be done later or when i come back, we can share the work together.

Thats what i feel. If someone say, at cc they can social and learn more, its true but we as parent its also our job to teach our kids at home and not depend on the teacher to teach our kids. I still bring my kids to playground n places they can socialise with other kids. I also teach him at night once i back from work. So its all up to the parent. Be a parent is tiring.

 

[Zaylee]

Hi, i choose helper. Yes its by luck when hiring helper. Same goes to our employer, its by luck choosing us as employee. Like us, helper come here to work for their family at hometown. All u need is to educate them. Trained them and teach them per ur expectation. Like our boss at work.

This is what i did to my helper too. She make mistake too but i approach and teach her. What u dont like ur boss to treat u, then dont treat your helper that way. I don't scold or shout at my helper personally or infront of others. I will talk to her separately. Ask her if she know what her mistake, why she cant do this n that, what will happen etc. She understand n obey. She also honest to me. Sometimea we are like friend but we do have gaps as employer and employee. Sometimes we watch tv together, cooking together when my mum around to play with her grandchildren, etc.

I dont send my kids to infantcare, cause its not 1-1, n easily to fall sick too. I rather helper focus on baby n housechore can be done later or when i come back, we can share the work together.

Thats what i feel. If someone say, at cc they can social and learn more, its true but we as parent its also our job to teach our kids at home and not depend on the teacher to teach our kids. I still bring my kids to playground n places they can socialise with other kids. I also teach him at night once i back from work. So its all up to the parent. Be a parent is tiring.

Hi DoubleQ. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Zaylee]

I chose helper over infant care as me and husband couldnt pick up my LO from the centre before 7pm.

Also helper there will be someone doing your house work for you (especially during your off days, you can take the baby and helper do the major works)

Of course its your luck if you get a good helper anot.

Cost wise probably around the same range depending if you have subsidy for infant care anot. But infant care it is not 1-1 service as they have 1 person taking care of a few infant & if your baby is colic like mine need addition attention.. most of the time I guess they have to just leave the baby crying just like in hospital as they cant handle more than one crying baby at one time.

&& infant care if baby is sick you have to take them home almost immediately so will this affect your work schedule?

You can always install cctv at home to monitor your helper while you are at work also. Just tell them is for security purpose.

If you can get your mother/ mil to dropby your place during your helper first few month i guess she will know someone is watching and buck up
End of the day be firm but nice to them im sure they are usually fine.

Lastly helper can give you good night sleep which you n your husband need to prepare you for next work day.. infant care at night u have to tc yourself & is super challenging! Especially first 3 mths

Hope you find what is best for your family!

Hi HWC2018. Thanks for sharing!