Opinion on domestic helper taking care of baby full time

[SangJing]

Hello,

After several years in China, my husband's new job assignment takes us to Singapore.
I could also work there but we have a young baby (now 4 month-old) and I do not feel so good about the day care solutions for her.
It seems that most people have domestic helper taking care of their children.
Could any working mum give me her feeling about leaving her baby full time to a domestic helper / maid? I would prefer having a certified nanny but apparently not possible to find in Singapore...

Thanks in advance!

[Callalily]

Personally, i wouldn't leave a baby with a helper unless you can trust that she will do the job like you would! Do research the nanny option a bit better. I haven't used a nanny here but I am sure you can get one. There are nurseries that take babies from a very young age. Would you be working full-time? If possible, stay with your baby a bit longer. 4 months is very young still. I stayed with my twins until they were 8 months and struggled when I went back to work full-time. If you can, stay longer. If not, find quality childcare.
Best wishes

lily

[SangJing]

Hi Lily,

Thanks for your message. It is nice to hear from your experience.
If I start working again, it will be from Feb2 so my daughter will be 6 months old and it would indeed be full time (might need some days overtime).
Maybe staying at home will also be easy so no need to train the caretaker and I can spend a lot of time playing with my daughter.
May I ask whether you had difficulties going back to work? Did you have a maternity leave or had you resigned and then joined a new company?

Have a great week-end!
Sandrine

[Callalily]

Hi Sandrine,

I was working in the uk and was entitled to 6 months paid maternity leave but could take another 6 months on top without pay. I went back when the boys were 8 months. I had a FANTASTIC nanny who looked after my first child and consequently after my twins. What I can say is, if you want to be comfortable with returning to work, you have to have good childcare so you are not worrying every minute of the day. Helpers are not nannies. Most can provide basic care, only a few can offer the stimulation required. If I were you, I would either get a trained nanny or a really good nursery so you can get on with work without guilt or worry. my children go to school now and I am returning to work full time soon. i still don't like leaving them with the helper. She is wonderful but can't really stimulate and entertain them for a whole day. So I will have to plan activities during the school holidays for her to take them to so they don't miss out while mummy is at work! nannies/nurseries are more expensive than maids but it is money well spent. I preferred to save on other things.
Do your research well to make sure your baby is in the safest hands.

Best wishes

Lily