Why I Personally Recommend Our Confinement Nannies

By Lisa | Founder of Lisa’s Chinese Postpartum Care

I began my career in home-based childcare at the age of 24. I later worked in nursing before entering the postpartum nanny referral industry in my thirties. Today, I have over 30 years of childcare experience and more than 20 years of experience in postpartum care services.

What makes my approach different from many other nanny referral agencies is that I have hands-on childcare experience. I personally select, train, and evaluate the confinement nannies I recommend.

I believe real experience and proven work performance matter more than what is written on a résumé.

Over the years, I have met nannies who claimed to have 10 or 15 years of experience but whose practical skills did not meet my expectations. Some could care for a baby but had very limited knowledge of traditional postpartum meal preparation.

This is why I never judge a nanny solely by the number of years listed on her résumé.

How I Train and Evaluate Our Nannies

Many of our nannies have worked with me for 10 to 15 years or longer. Some received personal, hands-on training and guidance from me.

A professional confinement nanny must have strong newborn care skills, understand a baby’s changing needs, and provide safe, attentive care.

She should also be able to prepare traditional postpartum meals, including Taiwanese, Cantonese, Shanghainese, Northern Chinese, and Fujian-style cuisine, depending on the family’s preferences.

In addition, she must maintain a clean and comfortable environment, demonstrate patience and responsibility, and have the physical stamina required for long working hours.

Confinement nanny work is demanding. It requires time, energy, dedication, and a genuine commitment to caring for mothers and newborns.

I regularly provide guidance and encourage our nannies to continue learning, regardless of how many years they have worked in the industry.

When a new nanny needs improvement, I am willing to provide additional training. However, if she consistently fails to meet my standards, I will not continue recommending her.

Why I Am Their Personal Reference

Some of our senior nannies have cared for more than 200 newborns. Some complete approximately 10 postpartum care assignments each year.

When a nanny has worked with me for 15 years, I know her abilities, personality, work ethic, and level of responsibility.

That is why I often tell families:

“I am personally their reference.”

My recommendations are based on years of firsthand experience working with these nannies, not simply their résumés.

Some of our  nannies charge higher rates because of their extensive hands-on experience, professional skills, and proven dedication.

How I Handle Client Feedback

I take client feedback seriously.

If a family reports concerns about a nanny’s attitude, carelessness, professionalism, or quality of newborn care, I personally review the situation.

I believe it is important to listen carefully to the family while also giving the nanny an opportunity to explain.

If I determine that a nanny no longer meets my professional standards, or has demonstrated dishonesty or irresponsible behavior, I will no longer recommend her to other families.

This is different from a nanny who simply retires or leaves the profession for personal reasons.

The safety of newborns, the well-being of mothers, and the trust of our families always come before making another referral.

My Personal Philosophy

I was born in Taiwan and moved to the United States at the age of 14. Growing up with a Western education helped me understand different cultures, family expectations, and parenting approaches.

Earlier in my career, I primarily served traditional Chinese families. Over time, our services have expanded to include American-born families and clients from many cultural backgrounds, including Korean, Japanese, and European families.

I believe postpartum care should respect each family’s traditions, lifestyle, and parenting preferences.

I have never believed in excessive promotion or impressive paperwork alone. I believe in doing the work well, continuing to learn, and taking responsibility for the quality of the services I recommend.

After more than 20 years in postpartum nanny referrals, my philosophy remains the same: Trust is earned through experience, personal knowledge, and consistent professional standards.

— Lisa (Mrs. Zhou)
Founder, Lisa’s Chinese Postpartum Care