My wife and I are in knots over the impending arrival of our little bundle of joy when it comes to babysitting. We are both working professionals, and we have yet to decide the option we will take up once both of us go back to work and leaving the baby. For the cost of paying for daycare and a babysitter, we could get a maid and train her to take care of the baby while we are gone. And the maid helps out with the housework, lesening the burden on me and my wife. Of course, the risk factor we are not sure of is what sort of maid will turn up at our doorstep. And we've heard all sorts of horror stories that go on once the maid is left alone with the baby.

We could opt to leave the baby with a babysitter and take the baby home at night, but taking care of the baby at night will probably take it's toll on us. The priciest option would to pay for a week's worth of babysitting, and only take the baby home on Fridays after work but I don't think my wife likes the idea of being seperated from our first child for so long.

Would appreciate all your views and experience on the matter, it'll help me make a better decision thanks.

A colleague of mine went through this last year, and eventually they went with a week's babysitting. They tried taking the baby home initially, but lack of sleep meant both their work suffered. I'm not too keen on this option, so I'm scouting around for what other options I have.

Sending back hometown would be my absolute last choice as both my wife and I are from out of KL. Even if either of our parents are willing to take care of the baby, this would mean we can only see the baby once in two weeks the most. How did you guys and girls solve this? What were your arrangements?

Thank you for your much appreciated comments.

We plan on starting the adjusting the baby's sleeping schedule as soon as possible. Sleep loss is unavoidable in parenting, we both realize this. We are leaning towards a daily babysitter now, I foresee we'll miss the baby too much to go a day without.

We are working professionals, not millionaires.
No, I don't hate you so don't worry about it. I leave emotions on the rack when I'm on internet forums

None taken.


I feel that the thread is getting out of topic and need to step in.
The purpose of this thread was to gauge different experiences with different types of babysitters. I have friends, colleagues and even relatives using different types of babysitters. I know of a few who hired maids, I have colleagues who leave the baby with the sitter for a week and I also have friends who bring their baby home every night. I have yet to hear any negatives from all of them, they're getting along fine with their babies.

They've shared their experiences with me, and I was hoping so see more shared here for parents to make an informed decision. I don't want this to turn into a 'Please judge me' thread. Thanks.

I was hoping the anonymity on the internet might help some reconsider and drop me a few gems.

I have a couple of relatives getting maids from the Phillipines instead of Indonesia. No language barrier and according to them, better overall. Of course, they are more expensive and need to have a day off. Which is fine of course, getting locked up in a house 24/7 can't be good for mental health. Mine anyways.

Will need to get back to you on that as the closest I got on what they were paying was the vague 'Around 1k'.