How often to breastfeed

First, there is no definite number for this question. In the first four months, it is recommended that nursing mothers practice breastfeeding on demand rather than scheduled breastfeeding. 

Breastfeeding on demand means you breastfeed your baby whenever she shows sign of hunger like hand sucking motion.

Breastfeeding on demand has shown to be much more beneficial than scheduled feeding as scheduled feeding has shown to be linked with poor academic performance in the future.
Another reason  that breastfeeding on demand is better is because there is growth spurt in the first year in which baby will put on more weight than usual.

In general, in the first four months, frequency of breastfeeding is about 8 to 12 times a day. This will usually decrease as the size of tummy of baby increases.

Number of times of feeding will drop to 3 to 5 times a day when your baby is 6 to 12 months old.

For duration, there is no specific guideline, nursing mothers should look for sign that the baby is full like stop sucking for a minute.

In general, duration of breastfeeding can last from 10 minutes per session to 45 minutes per session. In the first few days after birth, the size of tummy of the baby is very small, the breastfeeding may just last 10 minutes.

One of the major concern that parents have is whether their babies have sufficient milk or not for each session of breastfeeding.

To know that, parents can monitor the weight of the baby. In the first three days, baby will lose about 7% of weight after birth and gain 35 grams daily thereafter in the first week.

In the second week to 2 months old, the baby is expected to gain weight by 170 gram every week. The increase in weight will drop to 120g to 160g per week in the 2 months to 6 months. The number will drop further to about 80 when the baby is between 6 months to 12 months old.

Please refer to how often to breastfeed for more information.

Nursing Rooms in Singapore

Singapore is becoming more and more breastfeeding-friendly – more and more building like shopping centres, government buildings, hospitals, place of interests have nursing room for the breastfeeding mothers as government is trying to raise the birth rate. 

Orchard road is a shopping parade, with many shopping centres like Ngee Ann City, Ion Orchard, Centrepoint, Tangs and 313@somerset, orchard gateway. lucky plaza, paragon, wheelock place, wisma atria, great world city.

Among them, Ngee Ann City (also known as Takashimaya as main merchant at Ngee Ann City is　Takashimaya), Ion Orchard, Centrepoint, 313@somerset and orchard gateway, Paragon, wheelock place, great world city and wisma atria have nursing room. The one at Ngee Ann City (Takashimaya) and Ion orchard has been voted as some of the best nursing rooms  in Singapore as they have good facilities like bottle warmer other than the standard facilities like hot water dispenser, cold water dispenser.

Of course, feel is an very important factor. The ones mentioned above give nursing mothers very comfortable feeling and it is one of the important reason why they are the best among many.

From what we know, some important shopping centres like Tangs does not have a nursing room. But you can find one nearby without much trouble like the one in Ion orchard and shaw building. 

Other than Orchard road, shopping centres in CBD area like Raffles City, Liang Court, Suntec City also have nursing rooms.

Office buildings in this are also have nursing room but they are usually not open to the general public.

Places of interest like Esplanade, Chinatown Point, Garden By the Bay also has nursing room for the tourists – an important feature that makes it pro-family and good destination for family.

Overall, it makes business sense to have nursing rooms in the shopping centre as it could attract family who usually need to spend a lot of money on baby related products. Of course, they not only buy baby related products, father and mother also need to purchase other things for the family.

Nursing rooms in Singapore

Nursing room in Orchard Singapore

Marina Square nursing room

313@somerset nursing room

Centrepoint nursing room

Suntec nursing room

Raffles City nursing room

Ion orchard nursing room

Takashimaya nursing room

Cost of maids in Singapore

1.Maid Agency Fee or service fee

This can range from $0 to $2000. This costs me around 600 for hire a myanmar maid through agency. It is important for you to check with your maid agency or domestic helper agency what the agent fee or service fee covers such as security bond. For my case, it covers all administrative fee, air ticket, insurance, medical examination. It is heard that you can ask for discount for this fee.

It is therefore important to ask maid agency what maid agency fee covers before engaging their service.

2.Personal Accident Insurance and security bond

As an employer, you need to purchase personal accident insurance for your foreign domestic workers, minimum sum insured will be $40,000.

All employers of foreign domestic workers need to have a security bond with the work pass division of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). This is to avoid paying $5000 if your maid runs away for various reasons.

Some insurers like NTUC income will have a plan that combines personal accident insurance and security bond; cost of this plan may be about $256.80.

3.Performance Bond

This is only relevant if you are hiring a Filipino maid.

4. Placement Fee

This may not be necessary if you are hiring Indonesian maid.

5. Settling-in Program

This may cost you $75 if your foreign domestic worker is working in Singapore for the first time.

6. Employers'orientation program

If you are hiring maid for the first time, you may need to attend the orientation program unless you have valid reason. This can cost you $20 or $30. This sometimes is included in the service fee or agent fee.

7.Others Upfront Cost

You may also need to purchase bed, mattress, bed sheet, pillow and blanket if you do not have these items for your maid. As an employer, you have to provide these items to the maid.

8. Cost of Hiring Maid - Monthly Salary

1. Indonesian maid: $450 and above
2. Filipino maid: $500 and above
3. Myanmar maid: $430 and above

9. Foreign Domestic Worker Levy

You need a pay a monthly foreign domestic worker levy of $265 through arrangement of GIRO.

If you meet condition for concession of foreign domestic worker levy, you only need to pay $65 monthly. You can read this under the common question below for the conditions for the foreign domestic worker levy concession.

10.Food and toiletry

As an employer, you are supposed to provide food for the foreign domestic worker. If you do not cook, you have to give maid some cash to buy her own meals. It may be recommended that you pay for the basic toiletry such as shampoo, toothpaste and tooth brush for the maid, but this is not compulsory unless you and your maid agree to it in the contract.

11. Medical expenses

As an employer, you have to pay all medical expenses of your maid. This is the reason why it is important for you to have the personal accident insurance plan.

12. Air Ticket

You need to pay the transportation fee for the repatriation of the maid upon cancellation of the work permit.

Please refer to cost of maid in Singapore for details of cost and maids in Singapore

Pediatrician Woodlands

Woodlands is the regional centre for Northern part of Singapore. Many commercial buildings will be built in this area in the next few years and more transport like MRT station will be built in this area to make it even more accessible. All these new development will be built around the current Woodlands MRT Station. 

But this town is very far from city centre where there are a lot of healthcare facilities. Despite being a regional centre, there is no public hospital in this area. The nearest hospital can be found in Yishun which is 3 MRT station away. 

There are only 2 pediatrician in this area. They are Dr. Tan Yean Swee Angelin of Angelin's Baby & Child Clinic and Dr. Wong Chun Ping of The Gynae Link.

Dr. Tan Yean Swee Angelin has 26 years of experience in the field while Dr. Wong Chun Ping has 20 year of experience.

If you are looking for Pediatrician in Woodlands or surrounding area. Please refer to Pediatrician in Woodlands for more information. You will be able to find map, address, contact number, qualification of all these pediatrician. 

Pediatrician in Singapore

Pediatrician in Clementi

In Singapore, Clementi is a town where there are many education institutes such as National University of Singapore, Singapore polytechnic, Ngee Ann polytechnic and many more. There are a lot of development happening in this area also.

It is a town which is home to National University Hospital which has a dedicate department for children. This is also the reason why there are many pediatrician working in this area.

Other than about fifty pediatricians that works for National University Hospital, there are 7 pediatricians working in private clinics in this town.

These seven pediatricians working in two different baby and children clinics in Clementi. These two clinics are Kinder Clinic @ Pandan Valley and Chia Baby & Child Clinic.

Working at Chia Baby & Child Clinic is Dr. Chia Foong Lin who has 31 years of experience and has the following qualification: MBBS , M Med (Paed) , FAMS - Fellowship of the Academy Medicined.

Working at Kinder Clinic @ Pandan Valley  are Dr. Darryl Lim who has 22 years of experience, Dr. Ravin Selvadurai with 27 years of experience, Dr. Gong Wei Kin who has 24 years of experience.

It is not necessary cheap to visit pediatrician in public hospital like National University Hospital. Some of these pediatrician can actually charge more those in private sector, especially if you are foreigner.

If you are looking for a pediatrician in Clementi or National University Hospital or the surrounding area in Singapore. You can refer to pediatrician in Clementi for more details such as contact address, contact number, qualification of pediatrician, years of experience and so on as well as map.  

Source: Pediatricians in Singapore

Pediatrician in Yishun

In Singapore, Yishun is a relatively mature town located in the Northern part of Singapore, it is next to Sembawang in the North and Ang Mo Kio in the south direction. Yishun has a large population and there is also a public hospital Khoo Tech Phuat hospital in this area, but number of pediatrician is very limited as this public hospital does not have any pediatrician to cater to the needs of the young parent in the North part of Singapore.

Yes, there is only one pediatrician in Yishun. We have searched many times, but only manage to locate one in this town, and there is none in the neighboring town Sembawang, to our surprise as many young couples stay in this area.

The only baby or children clinic is operated by Dr. Foo Ai Leng of Ooi Baby and Child Clinic.

Dr. Foo has more than 20 years of experience in the field with MBBS , M Med (Paed) , FAMS (Paed) qualificiation.

According to one source, the consultation fee alone will be 50. This is considered as cheap as compared to pediatrician in other area or those in some public hospitals who charge more than 100 for consultation. Some of these consultations have a time limit. If you ask too many question, they will charge you extra dollars. This is Singapore.

If you are looking for a pediatrician in Yishun or the surrounding area in Singapore. You can refer to pediatrician in Yishun for more details such as contact address, contact number, qualification of pediatrician, years of experience and so on as well as map.  

Source: Pediatricians in Singapore

Pediatrician in Tampines

In Singapore, Tampines is a relatively mature town with easy access to transport. It is a like a regional centre in the East part of Singapore. More transport facilities like MRT stations or commercial building will be built in this area. There is also a public hospital Changi General Hospital in this area.

But Changi General Hospital does not have a children department.

There are two baby or children clinics with three pediatricians located in this town.

These baby or children clinic are called Paediatric & Family Medical Centre Pte Ltd by Dr. Lee Yip Mui Cecilia, Baby & Child Medical Group Pte Ltd by Dr. Loke Hing Leng,

These two pediatricians are very experience, their number of years of experience are 38 and 42 respectively as of 2016.

Medical cost is always high in Singapore with doctor or specialists can earn a million a year. This is why it is not cheap to see a pediatrician. Each trip could cost parents more than one hundred dollars. For some stay at home mommies, this is one month salary  for them for working part time. 

If you are looking for a pediatrician in Tampines or the surrounding area in Singapore. You can refer to pediatrician in Tampines for more details such as contact address, contact number, qualification of pediatrician, years of experience and so on as well as map.  

Source: Pediatricians in Singapore

Pediatrician in Jurong East

Pediatrician in Jurong East

In Singapore, Jurong East is a relatively mature town with easy access to transport. In fact, it is a regional centre in west part of Singapore. More transport facilities like MRT stations will be built to connect this area.

Furthermore, a public hospital will be ready in this area soon.

There are three baby or children clinics located in this area.

These baby or children clinic are called Alpha Baby And Child Specialists Dr Tay Hou Ngee Agnes, Kidslink Children's Clinic @ Jurong East Dr. Heng Joo Teck, Singapore Paeds Clinic Dr. Lau Tien Khoon, Kidslink Children's Clinic @ Jurong East by pediatrician Dr. Heng Joo Teck, Anne's Baby and Child Clinic by pediatrician Dr. Chong Su Yan Anne

Number of years of experience of these pediatricans are around 30 years.

If you are looking for a pediatrician in Jurong East or othere area in Singapore. You can refer to pediatrician in Jurong East for more details such as contact address, contact number, qualification of pediatrician, years of experience and so on as well as map.  

Source: Pediatricians in Singapore

Pediatrician in Sengkang

In Singapore, Sengkang is new town with a lot of young parents with children. It is also very close another new town Punggol that habit many young couples. This makes it attractive to many pediatricians in Singapore. As Sengkang is far away from public hospital like KK women and children hospital and national university hospital, it is also convenient for young parent when their children falls sick.

There are three baby or children clinics located in this area.

These baby or children clinic are called Kidslink Children's Clinic @ Sengkang Dr. Vanessa Tan, The Kid's Clinic by pediatrician Dr. Lim Peck Neo Lillian and Dr. Allyson Tan, SBCC Baby & Child Clinic @ Rivervale Dr. Zainal Muttakin A R.

If you compare number of years of experience of these pediatricians with other pediatricians, these four pediatricians may not be very experienced, but they all have more than twenty years of experience.

If you are looking for a pediatrician in Sengkang or othere area in Singapore. You can refer to pediatrician in Sengkang for more details such as contact address, contact number, qualification of pediatrician, years of experience and so on as well as map.  

Source: Pediatricians in Singapore

steps to hire confinement lady in Singapore

This article will explain how to hire a confinement nanny in Singapore:

Step 1: of hiring confinement nanny  Think about what you need

It is important to think carefully about job scope of confinement nanny before you engage a confinement nanny agency or search around for confinement nanny. Having a clearly defined job scope will avoid any dispute with confinement lady later on and it is also easy for for confinement agency to give you a reasonable price.

Step 2: Language ability of confinement nanny

It is important for you to think about your language requirement of a confinement nanny. If you can only communicate in English, you need to tell the confinement nanny. This is because some of the confinement nannies may not be able to talk to you in English. 

Step 3: Book early or search early

If you want to hire a confinement nanny through agency, you should book one or two months earlier before the expected due date of birth delivery. There are about 12 confinement nanny agencies in Singapore which should give you enough choice. 

If you want to self-hire confinement nanny, you should start to ask your friends or relatives earlier for recommendation.

Step 4: Agreed with jobs scope and other conditions

Before you sign any deal, you should confirm with agency or freelance nanny about the job scope and other terms and conditions of services to avoid any dispute later on. 

Step 5: Pay the deposit

If you hire confinement nanny through agency, you will need to pay the deposit after you come to an agreement with terms and conditions of service of confinement nanny agency.

For freelance confinement nanny, you may also need to pay the deposit.

Step 6: Apply for temporary work permit

You need to apply a temporary work permit for your confinement nanny if she is from Malaysia. If you hire her through confinement nanny agency, the agency will do all the paper work for you.

If you submit the application online, the processing time will be one working day.

If you submit the application manually, the processing time will be 5 working days.

For more details on the steps, you can refer to : steps of hire confinement nanny in Singapore

Cost of confinement nanny in Singapore

Cost of Hiring Confinement Nanny in Singapore

Cost of hiring confinement nanny includes the following items:

1. Red packet or ang pow. Two red packets will be needed. Total amount will be about $240 dollars. 

2. Extra fee for festival season: This is the fee when your confinement falls on festival season such as Chinese New Year. The extra fee will be more than $500. 

3. Basic pay: This forms the biggest part of the total cost. It will range from $2300 to $2600. For experienced confinement nanny, this will go up to between $3000 to $4000. Exact fee will also depend on the job scope of the confinement nanny.

4. Daily expense: meals, toiletries, water and electricity. This could cost you at least $500. 

5. Fee for work permit: if you hire a Malaysian confinement nanny, you will need to apply a work permit for her. The administrative fee will be about $30. Please note that it is illegal for a Malaysian to work as a confinement nanny under social visit pass. 

6. Levy for confinement nanny: you will need to pay $60 as levy for confinement nanny. For non-Singaporean employer, this cost can go up to $265 per month. 

7. Agency fee: this is usually included in the package of service if you hire a confinement nanny agency. 

8. Medical insurance: It is compulsory as stated in the Ministry of Manpower. 

9. Medical checkup: this is optional. It will costs more than $200 if you want your confinement nanny to go through medical checkup. 

As can be seen, there is a lot of extra cost to hire a foreign confinement nanny, but this does not mean that it is cheaper to get a local. Local will charge more for basic pay and it is hard to find one. 

For more details, you can visit cost of confinement nanny in Singapore 

Baby Diaper in Singapore

Because of hot and humid weather in Singapore, it is not suitable for baby to wear clothes diaper in Singapore, this makes it hard for parents in Singapore to save on baby diaper. Disposable diaper is probably the only choice that many parents in Singapore have.

There are about 10 brands of disposable baby diapers in Singapore which include: Pampers, Huggies, Merries, Mamypoko, Petpet, Drypers, Onwards, Goon, Moony, and labeled diaper like fairprice baby diaper. 

All these 10 brands can be divided into 3 sources: Merries, Mamypoko, Moony are Janpanese brands, Pampers, Huggies are American brands while Petpet and Drypers are originated from Malaysia. Out of the 10 brands mentioned here, Pampers, Huggies, Drypers are the common choice among many parents, partly because of its price. 

It is not cheap to buy diaper in Singapore. Merries Mamypoko and Moony and diapers that originated from Japanese tends to be the most expensive one. One package of tape diaper can cost $27 while one baby pant can cost $0.5  to $0.6. This will add to the cost of raising kids in Singapore. 

Malaysia brands like Petpet, Drypers are cheapest if labelled brands are excluded. 

Again, diaper in Singapore costs more than those sold in some foreign countries like Malaysia. But it is still considered cheaper than those in China where chinese buyers values the foreign brands highly. 

Because of its relatively large size, Singaporean does not buy much diaper from neighboring countries where diaper is cheaper. 

The only way to save on diaper is to train baby to use toilet. For many babies, you can train them to use toilet once they reaches 18 months old. To see how to train your baby to use toilet, you can visit when to start potty training? for more information. 

To save money on baby diaper, you can also consider visiting the following website:

Pampers promotion

Huggies Promotion

Merries promotion

Mamypoko promotion

Drypers promotion

Petpet Promotion

Hope it helps you save in raising kids in Singapore. 

Baby Products in Singapore

Singapore is one of the most expensive cities to raise kids.

It is true that government gives baby bonus. Compared to some western countries, amount of baby bonus is very limited. Of course, compared with some third world countries, the benefits can be considered very generous.

Formula milk sold in Singapore is probably the most expensive ones in the world. Compared with neighboring countries, Abbott milk powder is at least 40% more expensive. Of course, this has driven many Singaporean to purchase milk powder in Malaysia.

Formula milk sold in Singapore include the following brands: Abbott, Meadjohnson, Friso, Dumex, Nestle Nan, Wyeth S26 and a relatively new player Aptamil.

One friend of mine made a trip to Malaysia mainly for holiday, but she realized that she save a lot by purchasing many formula milk powder in Malaysia and amount of saving is more than the trip cost.

Compared with infant formula in the United State, the one in Singapore is also more expensive by at least 10%.

Diaper is not exception. Exclude Drypers, Petpet, brands like Merries, Pampers, Mamypoko, Huggies is at least 10% more expensive in Singapore as compared to neighboring countries. For example, 6 bags of Merries pants will about cost $90 in Malaysia, but the same thing will cost $102 in Singapore.

Many vendor cites high manpower costs as the reason for high price of formula milk power and other baby products in Singapore.

However, as we are aware, manpower costs in United State is also no cheap, but the milk powder therefore is at least 10% cheaper for the one brand I have seen.

There is a website, babyment.com, dedicating to help parents to save money on baby products like formula milk powder and diaper. You can check their website for latest promotion on milk powder, diaper from all sources in Singapore
Baby Products Promotion
Milk Promotion
Diaper Promotion