Good news for parents-to-be, fathers get Government-Paid Paternity Leave – currently two weeks, and doubling to four weeks from April 1, 2025 – allowing husbands to be around for the confinement period.
There is also Shared Parental Leave, which must be taken within your child’s first year. This is currently four weeks and will increase to six weeks from April 1, 2025, and then to 10 weeks from April 1, 2026.
THE PROS
Confinement food delivery. This takes away the stress of food prep and cooking. Besides ensuring your meals are nutritious, some providers also offer bird’s nest and lactation cookies as add-ons.
Complete independence. With no one to answer to during your confinement period, you’re free to make whatever decisions you feel are best for you and your newborn – no more sneaking in hair washes when your confinement nanny or mum is busy.
THE CONS
Steep learning curve. With no prior experience, new mothers (or new parents) may struggle with caring for a newborn.
Insufficient rest. Needing to handle everything, from infant care to keeping house is not easy. It could be worse if you have older children and elderly parents to care for. And while you might be able to power through the lack of sleep, having insufficient rest may affect your breast milk supply.
Spousal conflicts. A sensitive and stressful time for first-time parents, it can inevitably result in conflicts. Even you’re an experienced parent, having a new child changes the family and spousal dynamic.
Ultimately, have realistic expectations if you’re going DIY, said Cordeiro. “The house will be messy, things may not go according to plan, your experience may be very different from what you read, see and have been told by friends. But just roll with it and do the best that you can.”
