So you don’t run a business and have never hired a person in your life. That is, until now, when you figure you’ll need an extra pair of hands to help you ease into motherhood.

Don’t rush into offering the position to the first confinement nanny who says “yes”, though.

Sherry Goh, 34, learnt her lesson the hard way when she hastily took in a nanny last year. “I worried so much about my newborn under her care and I was in tears every day when she was with us. We had to ask her to leave after one week.”

To prevent disputes, invest the time and thought into choosing the right person – she may not be the one your best friend raved about. After all, what worked well for her may not work for you, because of different expectations and lifestyle.

Which nanny is best for me?

Know your needs. A day nanny typically helps out at your home from 9am to 6pm. If you’re a first-time mum, a live-in nanny would be a wiser choice, says Lily Lim, founder of PEM Confinement Nanny Agency.

“Newborns tend to cry and wake up very often in the night. New parents are often at a loss how to soothe them to sleep,” she adds.

“With a nanny around, the parents can get a good night’s rest. This also helps the mother to establish a breastfeeding routine and enhance milk production.”

Birth & Beyond, which runs classes and services for new parents, even offers a night nanny service from 10pm to 7am. Such services are popular in Western culture and are sought after by expatriates here.