Confinement Food Delivery Review
If you are looking for the best confinement food delivery service in Singapore, look no further as Kiasumom reviewed the top confinement caterers. Before we dived deep into reviewing and comparing each these top confinement caterers, let us take some time to understand why eating the right confinement food is so important.
A woman’s body after labor is the weakest and most vulnerable time. That is why Chinese believe in eating the right food during the confinement period which is 28 days after giving birth. Consuming the right dishes and soup will help to nourish the body to ensure great recovery and long term health. When it comes to confinement food, most people will think about adding more black vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, Chinese wolfberry, Chinese herbs or even wine to the food. Unfortunately, this is not totally true. A well-planned 28 days confinement meal is about eating the right food during the right time. Why is it important to eat the right dish and drink the right soup at the right time? The reason is you need to meet the nutrients-needs during the 3 stages of your post-natal recovery. The 3 stages are as follow:
- Day 1 to 7 (Stage 1): Uterus Recovery and Wound healing. The focus of this stage is to help with the smooth explusion of lochia and regulate the contraction of the uterus.
- Day 8 to 14 (Stage 2) : Digestive Wellness, Continuous Tissue Repair and Breastfeeding. As your body continue to heal. The food and soup you need at this stage will aid to improved your appetite, digestive function and blood circulation.
- Day 15 to 28 (Stage 3) : Vitality Booster and Nourishment. As your body start to strengthen, this perfect time to further nourish your body to prepare you for future pregnancies.
During first 7 days, the kind of chinese herbs required are Sheng Hua Tang, Wen Jing Tang, Dang Gui, Dan Shen etc. The dishes cook with these chinese herbs will help in uterus contraction, expel lochia, improve healing of wounds and replace iron and fluid. For stage 2 and 3, a different set of dishes will aid in the recovery processes. This explained why having a well-planned confinement meals is important to meet the needs during you’re at different stages of your recovery phases.
A confinement nanny may know how to handle your newborn but unforunately not all are well-phased in this dietary knowledge to prepare the food you need at different stages of your recovery. This explained why ordering food from a confinement caterer comes in handy. The prices for these caterers range from $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the type of menu packages and which caterer you order from.
Ok enough of the basic information, let start our reviews on the following confinement caterers shortlisted by us.
- Natal Essentials
- Chillipadi
- Nannysos
- Confinement-Meals.com (Richfood Group)
- Thomson Medical
- Confinementfood.com
- Happy Mummy
- Kims Kitchen
- The Natal Kitchen
Prices Comparison
Following are the prices based on the different menus for each of the confinement caterers listed above. Some caterers offer two to three types of menu, some includes both lunch and dinner for 28 days while some packages are for 14 days and some packages only include either lunch or dinner only. That is why prices vary.
Prices quoted in SGD after GST
| Caterer | Prices | Menu Package |
|---|---|---|
| Chillipadi.com.sg | $1678 | 28 Day Dual-meal (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Chillipadi.com.sg | $875 | 28 Day Single-meal (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Chillipadi.com.sg | $1314 | 21 Day Dual-meal (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Chillipadi.com.sg | $662 | 21 Day Single-meal (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Chillipadi.com.sg | $875 | 14 Day Dual-meal (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Chillipadi.com.sg | $447 | 14 Day Single-meal (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Confinementfood.com | $1600 | Package 1 – 28 Days (Mon-Sun) |
| Confinementfood.com | $1200 | Package 2 - 20 weekday (Mon-Fri) |
| Confinementfood.com | $840 | Package 3 - 14 days (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Confinementfood.com | $890 | Package 3A - 28 days (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Confinementfood.com | $430 | Package 4 - 7 days (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Confinementfood.com | $450 | Package 4A - 14 days (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Thomson Medical | $2130 | 28-DAY LUNCH & DINNER WITH 10-DAY PIG'S TROTTERS VINEGAR |
| Thomson Medical | $2030 | 28-DAY LUNCH & DINNER WITH 10 DAYS PIG'S TROTTERS VINEGAR (NTUC SILVER CARD PROMO) |
| Thomson Medical | $1980 | 28-DAY LUNCH & DINNER |
| Thomson Medical | $1880 | 28-DAY LUNCH & DINNER (CLINIC PROMO) |
| Thomson Medical | $1880 | 28-Day Lunch & Dinner (NTUC Silver Card Promo) |
| Thomson Medical | $1188 | 14-Day Lunch & Dinner |
| Thomson Medical | $1188 | 28-Day Lunch OR Dinner |
| Thomson Medical | $643 | 14-Day Lunch OR Dinner |
| Thomson Medical | $643 | 7-Day Lunch & Dinner |
| Thomson Medical | $488 | 7-Day Lunch OR Dinner |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1598 | 28 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Standard/Twin Meals (HMB28) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1198 | 20 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Standard/Twin Meals (HMB20) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $838 | 14 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Standard/Twin Meals (HMB14) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $438 | 7 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Standard/Twin Meals (HMB7) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $888 | 28 Days (Lunch) - Standard/Single Meals (HML28) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $688 | 20 Days (Lunch) - Standard/Single Meals (HML20) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $428 | 14 Days (Lunch) - Standard/Single Meals (HML14) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $888 | 28 Days (Dinner) - Standard/Single Meals (HMD28) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $688 | 20 Days (Dinner) - Standard/Single Meals (HMD20) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $428 | 14 Days (Dinner) - Standard/Single Meals (HMD14) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $2198 | 28 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Premium/Twin Meals (PMB28) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1588 | 20 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Premium/Twin Meals (PMB20) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1098 | 14 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Premium/Twin Meals (PMB14) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $598 | 7 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Premium/Twin Meals (PMB7) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1188 | 28 Days (Lunch) - Premium/Single Meals (PML28) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1088 | 20 Days (Lunch) - Premium/Single Meals (PML20) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $598 | 14 Days (Lunch) - Premium/Single Meals (PML14) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1188 | 28 Days (Dinner) - Premium/Single Meals (PMD28) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $1088 | 20 Days (Dinner) - Premium/Single Meals (PMD20) |
| Happy-mummy.com | $598 | 14 Days (Dinner) - Premium/Single Meals (PMD14) |
| Confinement-meals.com | $1529 | T1 – 28 Days (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Confinement-meals.com | $1129 | T2 – 20 Days (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Confinement-meals.com | $809 | T3 – 14 Days (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Confinement-meals.com | $409 | T4 – 7 Days (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Confinement-meals.com | $770 | S1 – 28 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Confinement-meals.com | $589 | S2 – 20 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Confinement-meals.com | $409 | S3 – 14 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $1380 | 28 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Traditional |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $777 | 28 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) - Traditional |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $1080 | 20 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Traditional |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $530 | 20 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) - Traditional |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $750 | 14 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Traditional |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $379 | 14 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) - Traditional |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $379 | 7 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Traditional |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $2200 | 28 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Revitalise |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $1188 | 28 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) - Revitalise |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $1580 | 20 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Revitalise |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $1080 | 20 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) - Revitalise |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $1100 | 14 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Revitalise |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $600 | 14 Days (Lunch OR Dinner) - Revitalise |
| Nannysos.com.sg | $600 | 7 Days (Lunch & Dinner) - Revitalise |
| Natalessentials | $1699 | 28-Day (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Natalessentials | $1271 | 20-Day (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Natalessentials | $1271 | 20-Day (Lunch & Dinner) - weekdays Only |
| Natalessentials | $875 | 28-Day (Lunch) |
| Natalessentials | $875 | 28-Day (Dinner) |
| Natalessentials | $875 | 14-Day (Lunch & Dinner) |
| Natalessentials | $447 | 14-Day (Lunch) |
| Natalessentials | $447 | 14-Day (Dinner) |
| Natalessentials | $447 | 7-Day (Lunch & Dinner) |
Ingredient used and type of food served
The dishes are key but the ingredient used is just as important as well. Following compared some of the details for each confinement meal.
| Caterer | Remark |
|---|---|
| Chillipadi.com.sg | All Meals come with Confinement Longan Tea, Steam/Brown Rice |
| Confinementfood.com | All meals are served with complimentary (500ml) Longan Red Dates Confinement Tea. Complimentary Steamed Rice is served with all meals except for Saturdays & Sundays dinner - Fried Rice will be served instead. |
| Thomson Medical | All Meals come with 2 main dishes, 1 soup, fragrant white rice and longan tea. |
| Happy-mummy.com | All meals will be served with Rice or Brown Rice (Lunch and Dinner) |
| Confinement-meals.com | NO MSG. All Meals with Complimentary Logan Red Dates Tea and Plain Rice (Fried Rice w/ Ginger & Eggs served on every Wednesday – Dinner Only). |
| Nannysos.com.sg | No SALT or MSG, only sesame oil is used. |
| Natalessentials | Menu include 1pkt of Rice & Red Dates Longan Tea (abt 400ml) for every meal. |
Menu Variety
Following is a comparison on the menu varieties. Some of the caterers has a fixed menu for every week while some repeat their menu for every alternate week. In our opinion, the food served should be catered based on the confinement needs for that week based on the three stages of recovery.
| Caterer | Menu Review |
|---|---|
| Chillipadi.com.sg | Same Confinement Food Menu for Week 1 & 3 / Week 2 & 4 |
| Confinementfood.com | 2 sets of Confinement Food Menu. Alternating between odd and even week |
| Thomson Medical | A Confinement Food Menu designed for 28 days. Different set of meal each day. |
| Happy-mummy.com | Same Menu for Week 1 & 3 / Week 2 & 4 |
| Confinement-meals.com | Week 1 is different. Following by Week A, B and C |
| Nannysos.com.sg | Same Menu for Week 1 & 3 / Week 2 & 4 |
| Natalessentials | Week 1 is different. Week 2, 3 and 4 same menu |
Delivery Time
What time the food is served is another important factor when considering which confinement food caterer. Following is comparison of the delivery time.
| Caterer | Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Chillipadi.com.sg | Lunch: 10.30am to 1.30pm; Dinner: 4.30pm to 7pm |
| Confinementfood.com | Lunch: 11am - 1.30pm Dinner: 5pm - 7.30pm |
| Thomson Medical | Lunch between 11:00am to 2:00pm and Dinner 4:30pm to 7:30pm |
| Happy-mummy.com | Lunch – 10.00 am to 1.00 pm Dinner – 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm |
| Confinement-meals.com | Lunch – 10.30am to 1.30pm Dinner – 4.00pm to 7.00pm |
| Nannysos.com.sg | |
| Natalessentials | Lunch will be delivered from 10am to 1pm and dinner, from 4-7pm. |
How the Food is served?
Find out how the food is packed for each caterer below:
| Caterer | Packaging Info |
|---|---|
| Chillipadi.com.sg | 4 layer Tingkat for food; Flask for Confinement Tea. Microwavable container will be used on last delivery |
| Confinementfood.com | microwaveable Tupperware containers |
| Thomson Medical | One set of Tiffin consisting of 4 containers and 1 thermos in a bag will be on loan to customer daily for exchange during the delivery period. Customer is responsible for the cleanliness, loss and damage of this Tiffin set. Microwavable containers will be used for the last delivery. |
| Happy-mummy.com | 3 Thermal Tub and 1 Flask will be on loan to customers every day for exchange during the service period. The Customer is responsible for the cleanliness, lost and damage of the loaned food thermal tub ($25.00) and Flask ($25). Microwaveable Container will be served for the last day/meal of the confinement. |
| Confinement-meals.com | Microwaveable disposable containers. |
| Nannysos.com.sg | |
| Natalessentials | Two bags are allocated to each customer. Thermal bags are to be returned to delivery personnel on a daily basis |
Trial Meals
If you are still feeling unsure which confinement caterer to choose. Why not order a trial set to find out more. Some caterers sometimes provide food testing session as well.
| Caterer | Remark |
|---|---|
| Chillipadi.com.sg | S$ 25 (Regular Price S$35) with 48 hours notice |
| Confinementfood.com | $15 (50% off regular price of $35 - for a limited time only) |
| Thomson Medical | S$68 |
| Happy-mummy.com | Lunch or Dinner: S$35. Trial Meal will be served in the microwaveable containers. |
| Confinement-meals.com | $32.10 inclusive GST |
| Nannysos.com.sg | S$30. Trial A : Braised Chicken Mushroom, Minced Pork with French Bean and Double Boiled Yellow Bean with Pork Trotters Soup Trial B : Pig Trotters with Vinegar, Black Chicken Soup with Ginseng, Stir Fried Lotus Root With Meat |
| Natalessentials | S$ 32.10 (Lunch OR Dinner) |
Cancellation Charges
Following cancellation charges apply if you decide to change your mind at the last minute
| Caterer | Remark |
|---|---|
| Chillipadi.com.sg | At least 1 working day in advance before 4pm. No cash refund, cancelled meal will be replaced. |
| Confinementfood.com | Once the meal delivery commences, a 20% penalty fee will apply for any cancellation. |
| Thomson Medical | Postponement of meals will not be entertained unless it is due to medical reasons. In such cases, postponement is allowed for a maximum of 2 days, and it must be supported by a doctor's letter. |
| Happy-mummy.com | For meal cancellation, the customer must notify our kitchen one day in advance before 3 pm. All canceled meals will be replaced. Only allow two times cancellation. No refund in cash will be given. |
| Confinement-meals.com | For meal cancellation, customer must notify us at least 1 day in advance before 5pm. All cancelled meals will be replaced. No refund in cash will be given. |
| Nannysos.com.sg | |
| Natalessentials | one working day in advance before 4pm. All cancelled meals will be replaced and no cash refund is allowed. |