SINGAPORE – A new study from KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) shows that more mothers in Singapore are breastfeeding successfully when they receive timely intervention and support, though basic struggles persist.
Many mothers want to breastfeed but quit early due to challenges such as nipple pain, insufficient milk, and lack of timely support from family and workplace.
Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Singapore remain low compared to other developed countries, but the study found higher rates when mothers receive robust hospital and community support.
Experts stress the need for better antenatal education, ongoing lactation support, family involvement, and societal acceptance to help mothers sustain breastfeeding longer.
One mother, Ponmani Suppiah, who was pregnant in 2020, initially did not consider breastfeeding but was inspired after connecting with the Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group (BMSG).
Source: straitstimes.com
