Hong Kong mothers increasingly bring in the professionals when it comes to childcare
Some parents bring in HK$42,000-a-month, 24-hour help, while ‘baby sleep consultants’ increasingly called on to help with a good night’s sleep
More mothers in Hong Kong are getting professional help when it comes to caring for their babies to ensure peaceful nights and to deal with other problems the new arrivals may have, according to industry insiders.
The hired help ranges from traditional Chinese pui yuet maternity helpers, to nurses who are expert in training babies to sleep, known as “baby sleep consultants”.
While some demand comes from inexperienced first-time mothers, Au Yeung Po-chun, chairwoman of the Women Service Association, which promotes women’s rights in society, said the industry was thriving because working mothers faced stress due to limited support from society.
She said the government should extend maternity and paternity leave, and new parents should receive financial support such as a cash allowance.
Some common posts online, similar to those on the “Hong Kong Moms”Facebook page, include complaints like babies crying when put in their own cribs or waking in the middle of the night for food, leaving parents exhausted and frustrated.