Male nanny confident in career change

Li Dabin, a former college teacher, is now being trained to be the first certified male post-natal carer, or maternity matron, in China.

With a postgraduate degree, Li noticed that the housekeeping industry was very promising, so he quit his job as a teacher and started to train to become a post-natal carer.

Li told the reporter that post-natal care is an energy-demanding job and being a male has its physical advantages. However, he does not know if the market will accept him.

Interviews conducted with randomly selected members of the public show that most people can not accept the concept of a male nanny. "It is not convenient for a man to take care of a newly-born and the mom", a woman surnamed Liu said.

Li has still not been hired while other fellow trainees have signed contracts with employers. "I believe in my professional skills and there will be someone who wants to hire me", Li said.

"He is more careful and a faster learner than many other students here", Yan Junfeng, Li's teacher, said.

Li will receive his certification and officially start his career as a post-natal carer in two months.

Li Dabin (middle) and classmates practice taking care of babies at a hospital in Changsha, on Nov 29, 2012.[Photo/CFP]

Li Dabin practices taking care of a newly-born with a doll at a hospital in Changsha, on Nov 29, 2012.[Photo/CFP]