Confinement Centre & Nanny Costs in Singapore (2026 Guide)
A 28-day stay at a standard Singapore confinement centre costs roughly S$9,000–S$16,000. A confinement nanny at home is about S$3,000–S$4,500. Meal delivery alone runs S$800–S$1,500. Those three numbers explain most of the decision families make.
All figures below are indicative ranges compiled from published Singapore provider packages and enquiry quotes. Confinement pricing is rarely listed publicly and changes often — always verify directly with the provider before budgeting.
Confinement centre prices (28-day stay)
| Tier | 28-day package | What you typically get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | S$9,000 – S$16,000 | Private room, all confinement meals, 24-hour nursery care, basic postnatal massage sessions |
| Premium | S$16,000 – S$22,000 | Larger suite, partner can stay, more massage and lactation sessions, better room service |
| Luxury | S$22,000 – S$30,000+ | Hotel-grade suite, higher staff ratio, full spa programme, premium menu, sometimes a private nurse |
Shorter stays are usually pro-rated at a slightly higher daily rate — expect roughly S$400–S$650 a day at a standard centre. Deposits of 10–30% at booking are normal, and cancellation terms vary a lot, so read them before paying. Browse centres by region or compare three side by side.
Confinement nanny prices (28 days)
| Arrangement | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay-in via agency | S$3,000 – S$4,500 | Most common. Includes agency placement fee |
| Stay-in, direct hire | S$2,600 – S$3,800 | Cheaper; no vetting or replacement guarantee |
| Daytime only (~12 hrs) | S$2,200 – S$3,200 | Suits families with a partner on night duty |
| Peak period surcharge | +S$300 – S$800 | Chinese New Year and auspicious birth dates |
Costs people forget to budget for:
- Red packet (ang bao) — customarily S$100–S$300 at the end of the placement. Effectively expected.
- Her food — she eats what she cooks; add it to the grocery bill.
- MOM levy — S$60 per month if your newborn is a Singapore citizen, S$300 per month if not.
- Medical insurance — required for a foreign nanny; the minimum coverage was raised to S$60,000 per year for policies starting on or after 1 July 2023.
- Extension rate — ask the daily rate beyond 28 days. Note the work permit caps at 16 weeks from the birth date.
Rules and levy amounts change — confirm current figures on the Ministry of Manpower confinement nanny work permit page. More detail in our guide to what a confinement nanny does and costs, or browse agencies.
Postnatal massage packages
| Package | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single session | S$90 – S$180 | Home visits cost more than clinic visits |
| 5 sessions | S$450 – S$800 | The most commonly booked package |
| 10 sessions | S$900 – S$1,500 | Often adds herbal treatments, womb care and binding |
| TCM / jamu premium | S$1,200 – S$2,000 | With herbal baths, acupuncture or bengkung binding |
Confinement food delivery
| Plan | Typical price | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| Trial day | S$30 – S$60 | — |
| 7 days | S$250 – S$450 | ~S$36 – S$64 |
| 14 days | S$450 – S$800 | ~S$32 – S$57 |
| 28 days (lunch + dinner) | S$800 – S$1,500 | ~S$28 – S$50 |
Compare meal providers → or read what confinement food actually involves.
What a full confinement actually costs
| Approach | Realistic total (28 days) |
|---|---|
| Centre stay (standard) | S$9,000 – S$16,000 — most things included |
| Nanny + massage package | S$3,700 – S$5,600 including red packet and levy |
| Meal delivery + massage | S$1,300 – S$2,300 |
| Fully DIY, family help | S$300 – S$800 (groceries and herbs) |
What actually changes the price
- Length of stay — the biggest lever. Two weeks instead of four roughly halves it.
- Room type — at a centre, suite upgrades are the single largest add-on.
- Timing — Chinese New Year and auspicious date clusters carry surcharges and sell out first.
- Nanny experience — a nanny with 15 years and strong referrals commands the top of the range.
- Twins — expect a meaningful surcharge for both centres and nannies.
- Add-ons — extra massage sessions, lactation consults and photography are usually priced separately.
Is any of this subsidised?
No. Confinement centres, nannies and meal plans are private services in Singapore and are not covered by MediSave, MediShield Life, or the medical components of the Baby Bonus scheme. The Baby Bonus cash gift can of course be spent on them, but there is no dedicated subsidy for confinement care. Budget accordingly.
Where to save without regretting it
If the budget is tight, spend it on the first two weeks. That's when you are least mobile, most sleep-deprived and most likely to be establishing breastfeeding. A 14-day nanny plus meal delivery for the rest of the month usually beats spreading a thin budget across 28 days.
The thing not to cut is help at night. Sleep deprivation is the single biggest driver of a miserable postpartum month, and it is the hardest thing to fix retrospectively. Read our honest comparison of the three approaches before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a confinement centre in Singapore?
A 28-day stay at a standard confinement centre typically costs S$9,000–S$16,000, with premium centres at S$16,000–S$22,000 and luxury suites above S$22,000. Packages usually include accommodation, all confinement meals, 24-hour newborn care and some postnatal recovery treatments.
How much is a confinement nanny in Singapore?
Around S$3,000–S$4,500 for 28 days stay-in through an agency, including the placement fee. Daytime-only help runs S$2,200–S$3,200. Add the customary red packet of S$100–S$300, the nanny's food, and the work permit levy if she is not Singaporean.
What is the cheapest confinement option in Singapore?
Doing confinement at home with meal delivery is the cheapest structured option, at roughly S$800–S$1,500 for 28 days of food plus a postnatal massage package. A confinement nanny is the mid-tier choice, and a centre stay the most expensive.
Are confinement costs claimable or subsidised in Singapore?
No. Confinement centres, nannies and meal plans are private services and are not covered by MediSave, MediShield Life or the Baby Bonus scheme's medical components. The Baby Bonus cash gift can of course be spent on them, but there is no dedicated subsidy.