My friend hired a Chinese maternity nurse (月嫂) for ¥18,000/month. She taught his wife how to sit properly.
My friend David from the UK and his Chinese wife just had a baby in Shanghai. They hired a 月嫂 (yuèsǎo) — a maternity nurse who lives with you for the first month after birth.She cost ¥18,000 for 26 days.
David thought she would just help with the baby.
She did that. But she also:
• Told his wife she couldn't shower for 7 days
• Made her drink pig's feet soup daily
• Wrapped her belly in a tight cloth
• Prohibited cold drinks, raw fruit, and air conditioning
• Taught her the correct way to "sit the month" (坐月子, zuò yuèzi)
What is "sitting the month"?
Zuò yuèzi is a 30-day postpartum tradition. The new mother rests, recovers, and follows strict rules to restore her body.
The rules include:
• No cold water (no showers, no washing hair with cold water)
• No cold food or drinks
• No going outside
• No heavy lifting
• Wear socks and long sleeves even in summer
• Eat specific "warming" foods
The 月嫂's job:
• Care for the newborn (feeding, changing, bathing)
• Cook restorative meals for the mother
• Teach the mother how to breastfeed
• Manage the "sitting the month" rules
• Basically run the household for 30 days
David's reaction:
At first, he thought it was "medieval."
"My wife couldn't shower for a week. In the UK, the NHS tells new mothers to shower daily. Here, the nurse said cold water would enter her bones and cause arthritis. I was skeptical."
But by week 2, he changed his mind.
Why:
• His wife was actually recovering well
• She got to sleep because the 月嫂 handled night feedings
• The food was genuinely nutritious (fish soup, red dates, goji berries)
• She had someone experienced to answer every baby question
• She didn't have to cook, clean, or do laundry for a month
The cost breakdown:
月嫂 (maternity nurse):
• Junior: ¥12,000–15,000/month
• Experienced: ¥18,000–25,000/month
• Premium: ¥30,000+/month
Ayi (regular cleaner/nanny):
• Part-time (3–4 hours/day): ¥3,000–5,000/month
• Full-time live-in: ¥6,000–10,000/month
• Full-time with baby experience: ¥8,000–12,000/month
Nanny (保姆, bǎomǔ):
• Childcare-focused: ¥6,000–10,000/month
• With early education training: ¥10,000–15,000/month
How to hire:
Agencies:
• More expensive (agency fee: 20–30% of first month)
• Vetted candidates
• Replacement guarantee if it doesn't work out
Word of mouth:
• Cheaper (no agency fee)
• Riskier (no background check)
• Ask in parent WeChat groups
Platforms:
• 58同城 (58.com)
• 天鹅到家 (Swan To Home)
• Some hospitals have partnerships with 月嫂 agencies
The 2025 regulation update:
China introduced new national standards for maternity nurses and domestic workers in March 2025.
Key changes:
• Mandatory training certification
• Background checks required
• Service contracts standardized
• Complaint mechanisms established
This makes agency hiring safer than before.
For foreigners specifically:
Language:
Most 月嫂 speak only Chinese. If your partner doesn't speak Chinese, consider an agency that provides bilingual nurses (more expensive, but available in Shanghai/Beijing).
Cultural differences:
If you're a foreign father with a Chinese partner, the 月嫂 will probably defer to the mother on cultural practices. But she might also judge your Western habits.
David said: "The 月嫂 looked at me like I was a caveman when I suggested my wife could have ice cream. 'Cold food hurts the uterus,' she said. I didn't argue."
Final verdict:
After 30 days, David's wife was rested, recovered, and confident with the baby. The ¥18,000 was expensive, but cheaper than a postpartum depression therapist and a divorce lawyer.
"I'm still not sure about the no-showering thing. But I'd hire her again in a heartbeat. She was a lifesaver."
Anyone else hired a 月嫂 or ayi in China? How was your experience?
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