What is a confinement nanny? Her job, and the MOM permit rules
In this article
A confinement nanny is a helper you hire for the first weeks after birth, so you can rest while she looks after you and your newborn. Roots.gov.sg says confinement nannies in Singapore commonly care for the new mother, cook special meals, give massages and bathe the baby. A nanny from Malaysia needs an MOM Work Permit, valid for up to 16 weeks from your baby's birth.
| Main tasks | Care for mum and baby, cook, bathe baby |
|---|---|
| Permit | MOM Work Permit, for nannies from Malaysia |
| Permit length | Up to 16 weeks from your baby's birth |
| Apply | From 4 weeks before your due date; $35 |
| Monthly levy | $60 for a citizen baby, $300 otherwise |
What a confinement nanny does
Her job is to take on the work you should not be doing while you heal. Roots.gov.sg lists the usual tasks as taking care of the new mother, cooking special meals, giving massages and bathing the baby. KKH notes that some families hire one to help with the housework and caring for the baby during the confinement month.
Families from every community hire them. The National Library Board says some Malay mothers engage a confinement nanny during pantang, while others skip certain rituals. Roots.gov.sg says most Chinese confinement nannies find their assignments through personal referrals or employment agencies.
MOM rules for a confinement nanny from Malaysia
MOM runs a short-term Work Permit for confinement nannies from Malaysia, and both you and the nanny must qualify:
- You must be 21 or older and have a newborn under 4 months old.
- She must be Malaysian, aged at least 23 and below 70 when you apply, and work at your home.
- The permit lasts up to 16 weeks from your child's date of birth. Apply after the birth and it runs for less.
- You can apply yourself or through an employment agency, from 4 weeks before your expected delivery date up to 16 weeks after the birth, with her written consent.
- MOM usually decides within 1 week, and you must tell MOM her start date before she begins work.
She gets a Work Permit letter, not a card, and a visit pass stamped in her passport when she arrives. If her job runs past the visit pass expiry, MOM says you must extend her stay.
What a confinement nanny costs on top of her fee
Her fee is set by her or her agency. MOM's own charges, as listed when we read its pages in November 2026, are fixed:
- Work Permit application: $35.
- Monthly levy: $60 if your newborn is a Singapore citizen, $300 if not.
- Medical insurance: a minimum of $60,000 a year in cover for policies starting on or after 1 July 2023.
- Medical check: optional, though MOM suggests one because she will be in contact with your newborn.
MOM also notes that her salary as a confinement nanny is taxable. To add these to an agency quote, use our confinement nanny cost calculator, and see our guide to hiring a confinement nanny in Singapore for agency prices and what to ask before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
What does a confinement nanny do?
She looks after you and your newborn in the weeks after the birth. Roots.gov.sg lists caring for the mother, cooking special meals, massage and bathing the baby as the usual tasks.
Do I need a work permit for a confinement nanny?
Yes, if she is from Malaysia. MOM issues a short-term Work Permit for Malaysian confinement nannies, at $35 per application, and you pay a monthly levy while she works for you.
How long can a confinement nanny stay?
On MOM's Work Permit, up to 16 weeks from your baby's date of birth. If you apply after the birth, the permit is shorter.
Can I hire a confinement nanny after my baby is born?
Yes. MOM accepts applications up to 16 weeks after the birth while your baby is under 4 months old, but the permit then covers less time. Past that point, MOM says to apply for a migrant domestic worker permit instead.
Related terms
- Confinement (Zuo Yue Zi): The traditional rest period after birth, 30 to 44 days depending on community, with food rules and extra help at home.
- Pantang: The Malay word for confinement after birth, traditionally 44 days of rest with rules on food, bathing and massage.
- Baby Blues: Tearful, irritable, anxious days in the first week or two after birth that pass on their own.
- 6-Week Postnatal Review: Your own check-up with a doctor four to six weeks after birth, covering healing, mood, feeding and contraception.
- MOM - Work Permit for confinement nanny (read 9 November 2026)
- MOM - Eligibility for Work Permit for confinement nanny (read 9 November 2026)
- MOM - Apply for a Work Permit for confinement nanny (read 9 November 2026)
- Roots.gov.sg (National Heritage Board) - Birthing Traditions (read 9 November 2026)
- HealthXchange (KKH) - Confinement: Do's and Don'ts (read 9 November 2026)
- National Library Board - Malay Muslim birth rituals (read 9 November 2026)
