SingaporeMotherhood | Baby & Toddler
February 2024
Find a Lactation Consultant & Get Breastfeeding Help in Singapore
As a ‘kiasu’ mum-to-be, I researched every aspect of baby care while pregnant. One thing that struck me was how breast milk is the best food for babies. Breast milk has all the nutrients a baby needs, in all the right amounts. It protects babies from many infections. It is always at the right temperature, and easily accessible whenever Baby needs it. So I was determined to breastfeed my baby, no matter what. How hard could it be? Breastfeeding is a natural process, right?
But my baby, an angel when asleep, was a demon at the breast. In the early days of first-time motherhood, I was constantly stressed, worried, and in pain. He wanted to latch on constantly. He fell asleep while nursing and screamed when I tried to unlatch him so that I could empty my aching bladder.
My nipples felt like they were participating in an S&M showdown and losing every bout. The little one wanted to be attached to the breast all the time and developed superglue gums that would clamp down if he suspected that I was about to achieve lift off. I calculated once that he was koala-ed for twenty out of 24 hours in a day (yes, he slept on me day and night, mouth closed over one nipple).
He loved breastfeeding, but I was starting to hate it.
So I Googled and found breastfeeding hotlines and lactation consultants. I called them, often on the verge of tears, feeling like the worst mother ever. The counsellors responded with patience, humour, advice, and reassurance. Knowing that there was someone out there who understood what I was going through helped.
My darling ended up breastfeeding exclusively for two and a half years, self-weaning when I was five months pregnant with number two. So if you’re feeling stuck in a nursing rut, don’t give up. Get help from one of the lovely people listed below, keep calm, and latch on.
(See also: 10 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT MOMLEY LOFT, A NEW RESORT-STYLE CONFINEMENT SANCTUARY)
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group (Singapore)
Breastfeeding counselling is provided by experienced volunteer counsellors who are breastfeeding mothers. They have been accredited by BMSG following completion of a breastfeeding counsellor training program, and offer information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with babies of all ages, as well as assistance and support to concerned family members who support their spouses or children. BMSG also has talks, workshops, and seminars on preparing for breastfeeding, as well as breastfeeding when going back to work. There is also a casual breastfeeding mothers’ group that meets monthly online.
Hotline: +65 6339 3558 (9am–9pm daily; +65 is necessary)
Mothers-only Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breastfeedingmotherssupportgroupsingapore/
Web: http://www.breastfeeding.org.sg
Belly to Breastfeeding
Mum of three Alona Hodik is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a Certified Childbirth Educator who can help with issues such as engorgement, blocked ducts, mastitis, reflux, re-lactation, breastfeeding twins, and more. Virtual lactation consultations are available too.
Cost: From $260 for an 80-minute in-person consultation; $190 for a 60-minute Zoom session
Web: https://www.bellytobreastfeeding.com/
Beloved Bumps
Australian nurse and certified breastfeeding specialist Sally Connell has over 20 years of experience working with mothers, babies and young children, and can help new mums with breastfeeding issues such as baby’s latching, tongue and lip tie, inverted nipples, thrush, and more. WhatsApp 88098623 before booking to ensure that the lactation consultant is available.
Cost: From $200 for a in-home visit of 90 minutes; $75 for a 30-minute consultation over Zoom
Web: https://belovedbumps.sg/class/lactation-support/
Doctor Anywhere
Launched in partnership with Hegen Lactation Centre (HLC), this is available via the Doctor Anywhere app. Apart from usual breastfeeding enquiries, the certified International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) here can also advise on nipple measurement for flange fitting, as well as breast massage and hand expression techniques.
Cost: From $100 for a 60-minute session over Zoom.
Web: https://doctoranywhere.com/women-health/
Joyful Parenting and Breastfeeding
Pregnancy and giving birth are significant milestones in a woman’s life. With them come similarly significant lifestyle changes that you will need to adapt to, on top of coping with breastfeeding challenges. Certified health coach, postpartum doula and lactation coach for over 16 years, Pamela Lim helps smoothen the postpartum transition for new mums. Apart from providing breastfeeding guidance, she also helps new mums recover physically and emotionally, offering support that you may not even have realised you needed.
Helpline: 6488 0286
Web: https://www.thebirthshop.co/collections/postnatal-doula-services
(See also: 12 CONFINEMENT FOOD DELIVERY CATERERS IN SINGAPORE)
Mother and Child
Experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) here can help you prepare for your baby’s first feed, and answer breastfeeding concerns including how to breastfeed a premature baby or a low birth weight baby, how to deal with low milk supply, over supply, breast anomalies, nipple thrush, breast reduction or enhancement, and more.
Cost: From $180 for a 60-minute virtual session.
Web: https://www.motherandchild.com.sg/courses/lactation-consultation-ng5jc
My Milkie Way
Hui Tze is a mother of two, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Her own struggles as a new mother, especially with breastfeeding, inspired her to support new mothers and their families. Whether you’re a first-time mum or are expecting your second, third, or more, Hui Tze can help you realise your breastfeeding goals. Furthermore, because she’s also a certified postpartum doula and baby massage instructor, you’ll get the best of both worlds when it comes to postpartum support.
Cost: $270 per 1.5–2 hour session (including online support)
Web: https://www.mymilkieway.com.sg/
MumsFairy
Co-founded by good friends and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants Juliet Chan and Valerie Ng, MumsFairy offers home-based postnatal breastfeeding support and consultation. They also offer workshops where pregnant mums can pick up essential knowledge and hands-on skills needed for a good start in breastfeeding.
WhatsApp or SMS Valerie at 81575780 (no calls) for an appointment.
Tender Loving Milk
Founded in 2021 by mum of three and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Eliza Koo, who offers scientific and evidence-based help for mums on breastfeeding, as well as motherhood and baby issues, including pumping, back-to-work, and mixed feeding consultations. Eliza also offers parenting and breastfeeding readiness workshops.
Cost: From $65 for a 30-minute virtual session
Web: https://tenderlovingmilk.com/parenting-and-breastfeeding-readiness
The Integrative Medical Centre
Get a lactation consultation with Dr Mythili Pandi, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a medical doctor. During the consultation, Dr Mythili will explore the background of your birth experience, ongoing issues you may be having, access your baby’s suck, check breastfeeding position and attachment. She will them offer practical recommendations to help you achieve your breastfeeding goals.
Web: https://www.theintegrativemedicalcentre.com/mum-and-baby-health-and-lactation-support
Hospital-based Lactation Consultant Services
KKH Women’s and Children’s Hospital
As a BFHI (Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative)-accredited hospital, KKH is committed to helping new mothers achieve breastfeeding success. If you are giving birth at KKH, you can sign up for a complimentary breastfeeding class at the Patient Education Centre (PEC). After delivery, when you are still in the hospital, the nurse will advise you on how to breastfeed your baby. If you require help after leaving, you can call the hospital’s lactation service for help via phone counselling, tele-consultation, or an in-person appointment at the Lactation Clinic.
Call: KKH Lactation Service 6-CALL KKH (6-2255 554). Leave your contact details with the telephone operator and inform the operator to contact Lactation Services. KKH Lactation Consultants will return your call.
Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute (NUHkids)
Call the Breastfeeding Helpline at 9722 0376 (daily, 8am – 5pm).
Singapore General Hospital Lactation Clinic
Call 6321 4323 / 6326 5926 (weekdays, 8am – 5pm), or go to the registration counter at the O&G Centre (Blk 5 Level 1).
Mount Elizabeth Hospitals
Lactation consultants here can address your breastfeeding queries via the Outpatient Consultation service. Book an appointment at:
• Mount Elizabeth Hospital: 6304 4423
• Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital: 6933 0940
(Mondays to Fridays: 8.30am – 5.30pm; Saturdays: 8.30am – 1.30pm; closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Post-discharge, outpatient care is available at Alvernia Parentcraft Centre. For an appointment, call 6347 6641 (Mondays to Fridays: 8.30 – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm; Saturdays 8.30am – 1pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays).
Parkway East Hospital
After discharge, your lactation consultant will call you to follow up on your breastfeeding experience. You may also call the hotline to make an appointment with the lactation consultant:
Phone appointment & general enquiries: +65 6377 3737 (Mondays to Fridays: 8.30am – 5.30pm; Saturdays: 8.30am – 1.30pm; closed on Sundays and public holidays).
Thomson Medical Centre
Thomson Parentcraft Centre offers breastfeeding counselling. Call 6251 4090 or fill in the form at https://www.thomsonmedical.com/lactation-consultation
Raffles Hospital
Have queries about breastfeeding and care for your newborn after you are discharged? Call the Nursery at 6311 1517 to set an appointment with the Lactation Consultant/Parentcraft nurse.
Useful Websites for Breastfeeding Help
International Breastfeeding Centre
Web: https://ibconline.ca/
Helmed by Dr Jack Newman, author of Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding: Empowering Parents, this site has an amazing compilation of articles and vides on breastfeeding.
Kellymom Breastfeeding and Parenting
Web: https://kellymom.com/
Managed by Kelly Bonyata, an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), this excellent site answers questions like “My baby fusses or cries when breastfeeding – what’s the problem?” and more.
(See also: 40 TOP MATERNITY & NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS IN SINGAPORE)
Featured image: Freepik
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