Pampering mum and little precious

Cheong: Our centre isn’t just about care – it’s also about trust, comfort and luxury.

THE interiors of the lounge lobby is swathed by soft green walls, gleaming black-and-white mosaic tiling, and woody rattan furniture.

Marble counters, gold-lined accents and solid vertical beading add a modern elegance, while botanical-themed wallpaper and hanging foliage bring an ambience of a tropical resort.

Calming essential oils are diffused in the air throughout to induce relaxation.

Welcome to Little Precious Postnatal Care, a luxury confinement centre for postpartum mothers.

“Here, every detail counts,” Katrine Cheong, founder of Little Precious Postnatal Care (LPPC) tells StarBiz 7.

“Our centre isn’t just about care – it’s also about trust, comfort and luxury.”

Cheong, an award-winning architect and interior designer, was meticulous in crafting a space that inspired comfort and relaxation.

“I believe that the environment significantly impacts recovery and overall well- being,” she says.

Stretched across four floors of a boutique office building at KL Eco City, the 18,000 sq ft centre holds nine private suites on each floor. Every suite is fitted with amenities like a king-sized bed, a mini-fridge, an air purifier, emergency bells and nursing pillows.

Some suite packages come with a hair treatment session, a starter kit feeding bottle and postnatal rehab sessions. A team of nurses, paediatricians, nutritionists, physiotherapists, lactation consultants, kitchen staff, and housekeeping personnel provide personalised 24-hour care to mothers and newborns.

“The confinement period marks the beginning of a baby’s introduction to the world, the celebration of a woman’s transformation into a mother, and the start of a new chapter for a family,” Cheong says. “Little Precious is more than just a confinement centre, we are partners in a family’s motherhood journey.”

Maternal instinct

Postnatal care centres, which offer supportive care for mothers during the postpartum recovery period, have become increasingly sought-after in recent years. In place of the traditional confinement at home, many mothers now check into these centres for rest and recuperation, with accommodation and meals taken care of, and trained professionals available around the clock.

“I have been in the shoes of postpartum mothers and there is so much detail in the needs that they require,” says Cheong, a mother-of-three. “We set ourselves apart by being customer- oriented.”

Little Precious Postnatal Care was born out of the founder’s passion for maternal care, combined with her expertise and experience in design. She also had inspiration from her first job – in her father’s traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shop.

“This exposure deepened my appreciation for health and wellness, making me want to create a space that promotes healing through holistic practices,” she shares.

In establishing LPPC, she sought to provide a postnatal care centre that emphasises integrated care for both the physical and emotional wellbeing of mothers – something she felt was missing locally.

“Many confinement care facilities and professionals tended to focus on either medical care or comfort, but very few offered a holistic approach that addresses both aspects,” she explains.

Aiming to fill this need, LPPC was opened in 2020, providing mothers with a comprehensive postnatal care experience where they could receive professional medical support while also being treated to a luxurious and nurturing environment.

Holistic care

Beyond its plush setting and professional postnatal care, LPPC prides itself on its nutrition- focused culinary menus, which are carefully curated by qualified nutritionists and in-house chefs. Freshly prepared in the centre’s kitchen, the meals blend traditional confinement recipes with modern nutritional science to help restore physical and mental vitality.

“I wanted to ensure that mothers enjoy delicious and nourishing food, breaking the stereotype that confinement food is bland or unappetising,” Cheong adds. Herbal teas and tonic soups are customised to each mother based on individual requirements.

“Tailored care and dedicated support from trained professionals are increasingly important to mothers. They want to feel that their unique needs are understood and addressed,” she observes.

Safety is another key priority, she adds, noting that the centre is rigorously strict about constant cleaning, sanitising and maintaining on-premise security.

The range of services available at LPPC include physiotherapy, wound care, counselling, parent-baby activities, and art and sound therapy.

The business also continually invests in new technology to meet modern demands, integrating treatments such as the cutting-edge Emsella chair, which non-invasively aids in strengthening the weakened pelvic floor after childbirth.

“New mothers are looking for centres that offer not only medical support but also nutritional guidance, emotional wellness, and opportunities for community engagement,” Cheong says.

In the four years since its inception, LPPC has served over 1,000 mothers on their postnatal journey. Cheong reveals that the business’ has seen a 6% increase from 2022 to 2023, with a projected growth of 17%-18% from 2023 to 2024.

The founder attributes this to years of unwavering advocacy for the confinement centre industry, as well as the centre’s stand-out services and exceptional standards for baby and mother care.

“The realisation of my dream to merge design with healing and nurturing through Little Precious is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “I am grateful for the opportunity to support mothers during such a transformative time in their lives.”