April 2, 2007
Confinement Recipe Book
Recently, I was scouting around for a “confinement lady” to take care of me for the first month after the delivery of my little one in June. Confinement ladies are very easy to find in Singapore and Malaysia. Even hospitals like Thomson Medical Centre can make recommendations. Otherwise, good confinement ladies are referred by word of mouth.
These ladies are called “confinement ladies” because during the first month after the delivery of the child, the mother is supposed to be “confined” at home, eat nutritional food and follow some traditional Chinese rules so as to restore her health after exerting all that strength and energy during labor. The confinement lady is then engaged to take care of the mother, oversee the cooking of her meals, and help to keep an eye on the newborn.
Apparently, no such person exists here in the Bay Area, or if there was, it’s EXTREMELY difficult to find. I could only find services that provide nannies and most of the time, their duties are restricted to taking care of the newborn only! The mother is still left with all the household chores. (Mind you… these nannies cost a bomb!)
Here’s a comparison:
Cost of a live-in confinement lady in Singapore
= about S$2,000
approx US$1,300 for one month.
Cost of a live-out nanny in the Bay Area, for say 10am-6pm (8hrs a day), Mon-Fri, for 4 weeks (here’s the cheapest out of three agencies that I called)
=(US$20 per hour x 8 hrs) x 5 days x 4 weeks +US$650 (agent’s fee for a 4 week period) + US$250 (registration fee)
= US$4,100 !!!
I was worried that no one will cook for me at a time when I need some assistance. (Hubby only brings home the bacon… someone still has to cook it!) So when I was back in Singapore, I found a recipe book from Times Bookshop, dealing solely with confinement recipes!
It’s called “The Essence of Confinement Cooking”, by Amy Wong. The write-up on the “things to-do” and “things not to do” during the confinement period (i.e. first month after delivery) are in Mandarin. However, thank goodness the recipes are in bilingual format.
There are lots of recipes with Dang Gui, Dang Shen, Sesame Oil and Ginger. They are not part of my usual diet. Not sure if I’ll like the taste. Will keep you all posted (after June that is). :)
Bite This!
More recipes:
The Rapper Cook’s Preview Into Her 2007 Menu
Stir Fried Spaghetti With Black Peppered Beef
Choux Pastry Puffs - Sim Can Bake, You Can Too!
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April 2nd, 2007 at 4:14 pm
US$4000! Better off you fly your mom over. Who can be better than your own family? If like that, also no need for the recipe book liow! Hee hee…mom can take care of everything.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
In our neighborhood, there are a lot of old Asian ladies that live here with their grown-up kids. Sometimes they work as nannies for other Asian families in the neighborhood. You might try walking around your area to see if such Asians exist in your area. We’re lucky, there are a lot of Asians in our area.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:57 pm
US$4000! Fly me over! I’m experienced and bilingual, know English & Mandarin! Modern confinement nanny, no superstitious beliefs. Can cook very well. :)
Actually for that price, you can come home to give birth also. But I guess not possible with your huge tummy!
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:22 am
when is your little one due? I bet you can’t wait. :D I think it’s best if you can fly your mum over for a few months or so. My cousin flew her mum over when she had a baby over here and it really helped (financially and emotionally). Maybe you should teach the hubby to cook :D
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:00 am
That’s too bad. I am with tigerfish. Bring your mum to the US. She will be absolutely comprehensive for your needs.
April 3rd, 2007 at 5:29 am
fly your mum over, i am sure she will be so happy and glad to help out.
eastcoastlife, will you allow simcook to bathe? haha….
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:05 am
In America, they’re called postpartum doulas. Check out this site: http://www.dona.org/mothers/faqs_postpartum.php
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:36 am
Tiga!
Ya.. and mom can cook dishes I like to eat.
DF:
The Asian community nearest to where I live is where Ranch 99 is. I’ve checked the advertisements on the notice board and contacted a couple of them, only to realize that they act more like a “infant- / child-care center”… working moms bring their kids to their house for day care. So I didn’t even ask about the rates they charge.
ECL:
I do believe you can cook very well :) For US$4000, I can buy you a business class ticket… still have leftover change.
Anh / Sue:
Ya… financially, that’s really the best solution! The final arrangement after considering all factors is for Mom to come over end of May to prepare for my June delivery. She will stay for a couple of months.
KM:
You are very funny! LOL - the bathing part that is :p
Hakka House:
That’s a very useful website. Thanks! No wonder I couldn’t find the appropriate help. I was barking up the wrong tree!
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Yich,
I think long-term solution is to teach Mr. SimCooks how to cook. :) Are you gonna post pictures of your little one for us to see? I love babies. :)
April 7th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
I think CA has some of the most liberal laws in the country. Can your hubby get a paternity leave for a month or so? He can help with the babies and order food from outside.
Good luck! I wish I could help but I don’t cook either. :-P
April 7th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Chopsticks:
Have not decided whether to post baby pictures in my food blog :)
Ming:
Haha, not for the whole month! In Singapore, paternity leave is only 3 days, here, I think it’s generally 2 weeks.
April 10th, 2007 at 12:32 am
woww, so expensive one :( hey, can get confinement ladies from the east coast ? much cheaper, like 2k+ I think.
April 14th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I am in UK, baby also due in december. What can you do when you are away from home. My hubby not happy that I want to go home for confinement. He was upset as he wants to bond with the baby. Like you said, he can bring the bacon home but who to cook. I am finding it hard to find a child-minder as well not to say a baby sitter. With so many problems arising with reports of paedophiles, you don’t know whether they can be trusted.
April 14th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Hi Emily, so we are in the same boat… well kind of. Maybe you can consider asking your mom or mom-in-law to go over to the UK instead. Most of my SG friends living overseas did that.
May 11th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
US4,000?! That’s outrageous! My confinement lady only charge me S$1,700 and she ‘bao-ka-liao’. On top of the usually caing for the baby, cooks for me and the family and did laundry and simple housework. She even send my elder son to and from school!
But you wouldn’t have problem cooking. You are such a good cook! Let your hubby do the laundry and housework ;)
May 11th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Uh huh.. labour cost in the US is extremely expensive. I can’t do the cooking cos I am not suppose be washing my hands too often ya? else get arthritis. :(
June 14th, 2007 at 3:08 am
I have six children never had a confinemet lady for every one of them. The first three I had no maid. So went i came back from hospital had to cook and wash and clean. With first baby easy with 1+1 getting tough 1+2 realy fun. It is all in the attitude. Good luck. P.S. also have breast feeding. also visit toastmaster club ha ha
August 4th, 2007 at 12:30 am
If you get a chinese confinement lady thats only the price you got to pay her… dont forget the ang pau that you have to give away as well… its compulsory…
Trust me… whether good or bad you must give ang pau… dont know why though
And dont forget to eat the ginger wine chicken…
August 9th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
hey, i’m from singapore too! i’m now living in the bay area as well, i’m into my fifth mth pregnancy and i’m looking high and low for confinement lady, u mention abt the agencies, how did u find them??? i would really like to keep in contact wif u, pls send me a message if u can, thanks!
September 11th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Hey, I’m due in November and live in SF. I would also want to know where to find the agencies. I know in LA there are a bunch, but not sure in the Bay Area.
September 11th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Hi Daph, I just sent you an email. Cheers!
September 26th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
when can I use the stone ginger wine?
September 26th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
I have not used that before.
October 5th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Hi,
I’m most willing to send u the data of “Do it yrself confinement for 40days”. if u r interested.
October 5th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Hi Bliss, It’s ok… my bb is 4 months old now :) I am past the Confinement stage. Anyways, a new mom should always get help during the first 1-2 months. Hard to DIY! Anyways, that recipe book I mentioned above is pretty good. It also gives advice on what to do and what not to do during confinement. Thanks!
November 12th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Wow, Very complicated situation! I am glad I can’t get pregnant. Well, I am a man…haha. But I have 4 kids…really! I hope you and husband are enjoying your new baby and I am pretty sure that is why I have not seen any new blog posts. I hope your confinement works out well. Getting sleep?
November 13th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Hi kblues… my confinement period went well. Thanks :)
As for sleep, nooooo… I haven’t had my 8-hr stretch of sleep for 5 months already! :(
November 13th, 2007 at 11:14 am
I knew it!
(baby creates sleep deprivation) haha!
I am looking over your recipes again today. I am going to try some of them soon, they look yummy!
kblues
April 6th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
There is actually a Chinese nanny service that provides “confinement” nannies for about $2500 per month. They live with you all for the first 1-2 months and really take care of you - cooking, cleaning, infant care, medicines, lactation advice, etc. The agency that I know of is based out of a Chinese herbal medicine store in Milpitas McCarthy Ranch Plaza. Highly recommended!