A baby boom is expected next year, The Year of the Dog according to the lunar Calendar, meaning there should be huge demand for nurses who look after children during the first month after deliver, or yuezi ayi as they are known in Chinese.

The expected baby boom is the result of an ancient Chinese superstition. Many people in the country believe zodiac signs can affect a child's personality, so they prefer to have children in the years of the tiger, monkey and dog.

Local hospitals are receiving more visits for maternity information and pregnancy check-ups. The number of check-ups scheduled for next year have increased 10 percent at Shanghai No. 8 People's Hospital, according to spokesperson Hu Jianping.

Babies born in the Year of the Dog are believed to be honest, loyal and independent.

Lots of couples would wait till a good zodiac year to have babies, said Lai Meizhen, an obstetrician at the Shanghai Kangjian Hospital.

About half of all new parents in the city hire a yuezi ayi, according to Xia Jun, a spokesperson for Shanghai EJLL Home Economics Services Co.

"The demand for yuezi ayis will certainly soar in the Year of the Dog," said Xia. "The prices might also increase depending on the situation."

When baby nurses were in short supply in the past, many new parents would offer higher wages, said Xia, adding that a baby boom this year will probably push up wages again.

To prevent a shortage, many home service companies are training ordinary domestic helpers to work as yuezi ayis.

The average monthly salary for a yuezi ayi is about 3,000 yuan (US$371).

"Lots of them are happy to become yuezi ayis, as their salaries can increase," said Xia.

"Besides our housekeeping services, I think more local women's hospitals should also offer more training programs for yuezi ayis," said Zhu Wei, general manager of Shanghai Boni Housekeeping Service.

Experts also approve the use of yuezi ayis to relieve new parents of stress. "They can be of great help to inexperienced new mothers," said Lai with Kangjian Hospital.

(Shanghai Daily December 27, 2005)