What a Chinese Postpartum Nanny Does
A Chinese postpartum nanny (Yue Sao) is a live-in caregiver who provides 24/7 newborn care, feeding support, safe sleep supervision, and culturally rooted zuo yue zi postpartum recovery guidance. Families may choose baby care only or baby care + postpartum meals, depending on their needs. Her role is to help the mother heal, protect her rest, and ensure the smoothest, safest transition into early parenthood.
What Is a Chinese Postpartum Nanny?
A Chinese postpartum nanny—also known as a Yue Sao (月嫂) or Chinese confinement nanny—is a trained caregiver who lives with your family during the first few weeks after birth. This care is rooted in the traditional Chinese practice of zuo yue zi (坐月子), or “sitting the month,” which emphasizes:
- Rest
- Warming, healing nutrition
- Emotional support
- Newborn care
- Gentle restoration of the mother’s strength
The postpartum period is one of the most important phases in a woman’s life. A Chinese postpartum nanny provides the structure, experience, and cultural guidance needed to help mothers recover safely while ensuring the newborn receives expert round-the-clock care.
What Your Postpartum Nanny Helps With
A Chinese postpartum nanny supports both the mother and the baby. Her responsibilities typically include:
Newborn Care
Circumcision care (boys — if requested)
24/7 baby care
Feeding (breastfeeding or bottle)
Burping, diapering, and soothing
Nighttime support so parents can rest
Newborn bath routines
Swaddling, calming, and sleep supervision
Monitoring for jaundice
Safe sleep setup and guidance
Mother Care & Recovery Support
Encouraging rest and hydration
Light postpartum wellness guidance
Monitoring emotional well-being
Teaching newborn cues and feeding habits
Protecting the mother’s rest
Gentle postpartum stretches (depending on nanny)
This support helps reduce stress, speed healing, and create a healthier postpartum experience.
Optional Meal Service (Zuo Yue Zi Meals)
For families who select the meals included option, nannies also prepare:
- Three daily warming postpartum meals
- Nourishing soups & slow-cooked broths
- Blood-building dishes
- Herbal teas
- Postpartum snacks
- Digestive-friendly dessert
Meals are based on the principles of:
“warm the body, promote circulation, restore energy, and protect recovery.”
If additional family members want meals:
$10/person/day
Nighttime Support
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a Chinese postpartum nanny is overnight newborn care.
Your nanny:
- Handles all night feedings
- Soothes the baby back to sleep
- Maintains sleep/wake schedules
- Lets parents get restorative sleep
- Monitors breathing & newborn safety
This is crucial for maternal mental health and smooth recovery.
Daily Schedule Example
(This is an example routine — each nanny adjusts to your family’s needs.)
6:00 AM – Early feed + diaper change
7:00 AM – Prepare breakfast (meal option)
8:00 AM – Assist with pumping / feeding
9:00 AM – Baby bath
11:00 AM – Morning nap supervision
12:00 PM – Prepare lunch (meal option)
1:00 PM – Laundry + sanitizing bottles/pump parts
3:00 PM – Feed + soothe
5:00 PM – Dinner (meal option)
7:00 PM – Evening calming routines
10:00 PM – 6:00 AM – Overnight care
Why Families Choose My Asian Nanny®
Our postpartum nannies are:
- Experienced (many with 20–30+ years in infant care)
- Caring, patient, and culturally aligned
- Experienced with twins & special newborn circumstances
- Trained in safe sleep + newborn handling
- Carefully vetted & reference-checked
- Matched based on your due date, feeding preferences, and household needs
We guide you through every step — consultation → nanny matching → interviews → booking → ongoing support.
Live-In Care Only (24/7 Support)
Holistic Care: Our experienced postpartum nannies are trained in traditional Chinese medicine principles and practices, providing holistic care that addresses both physical and emotional well-being. This comprehensive service ensures that new mothers receive expert support throughout their recovery.
Expertise and Experience: With extensive training and experience, our nannies are equipped to handle the unique challenges of the postpartum period offering invaluable support and peace of mind to parents, especially new parents, as they adjust to their new roles.
Emotional and Mental Health Support: The transition to motherhood can be emotionally overwhelming, and a postpartum nanny provides much-needed emotional support. They are trained to recognize signs of postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress, and offer guidance and reassurance to help the mother and new parents navigate these challenges.
Chinese postpartum nannies are live-in caregivers. They stay with your family for the full duration of service and typically receive 2–3 hours of rest during the day (depending on your home’s schedule).
This ensures consistent newborn care and uninterrupted rest for the mother.
How Much Does a Chinese Postpartum Nanny Cost?
Our postpartum nannies provide around-the-clock care for 26-120 days, with rates ranging between $250 and $350 per day. These fees cover comprehensive care, meal preparation, and additional services such as postnatal massages and extra household chores, but it’s important to understand all associated costs and have clear agreements outlining them. The nanny’s salary is a key component of the overall postpartum care budget, so be sure to include the nanny’s salary, as well as additional expenses like meals and accommodation, when planning your expenses. When considering potential nannies, keep in mind that their experience and qualifications may affect the total cost. For a better estimate, please see our Postpartum Nanny Cost Calculator
Booking Your Postpartum Nanny
If you’re asking yourself when should I start looking for a confinement nanny? We recommend booking 4-6 months in advance of your due date. This lead time helps secure the best match for your needs.
During this period, it is important to conduct a thorough interview process to assess each nanny’s understanding of postpartum traditions and relevant experience. Create a shortlist of potential candidates and carefully evaluate their qualifications and compatibility with your family’s specific requirements. Involving family members in the decision-making process can also help ensure the chosen nanny is the best fit for both practical and emotional support.
Get Started with My Asian Nanny
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese postpartum care, then please contact us today. Our dedicated team of customer care specialists are here to answer any questions or concerns that you may have
Related Services
Confinement Nanny (Meals Included)Night Nurse / Overnight Newborn Care
How to Get Started
Our Service Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hire a postpartum nanny for?
Most families choose 4–12 weeks, depending on birth recovery and feeding goals.
Do nannies live with the family?
Yes. Confinement/postpartum nannies are live-in and provide 24/7 support.
Can the nanny cook for the whole family?
She cooks postpartum meals for the mother. Additional meals can be added for a small fee.
Does the nanny handle older children?
No — postpartum nannies focus exclusively on newborn care.
Do you assist out-of-state clients?
Yes. Travel costs + travel day compensation apply.
Should I book early?
Yes. Experienced postpartum nannies book months in advance, especially for summer and holiday due dates.
