​Providing Holistic Care for the Breastfeeding Mother and Baby

Breastfeeding is universally recognised as the normative and preferred method of infant feeding, and has important short- and long- term benefits for both infant and mother.

For many women, difficulties in breastfeeding such as perceived low supply and development of breast complications result in early termination of breastfeeding before the recommended period of time. However, with the right advice, support and treatment, most of these difficulties can be overcome, and breastfeeding can be successfully sustained for longer periods.

 

 

​FIRST MULTIDISCIPLINARY CLINICIAN-LED BREASTFEEDING PRACTICE IN A TERTIARY CENTRE IN SINGAPORE

ABOUT THE CLINIC

The Breastfeeding Clinic @ OGC (Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre) in Singapore General Hospital was established in February 2022 to provide an outpatient lactational medicine specialist service led by a breast surgeon and an obstetrician trained in lactational care. 

This is the first, and currently the only, clinician-led lactational practice in a tertiary centre in Singapore. The team providing individualised and holistic care for our patients comprises:

  • Clinicians
  • Lactation nurses
  • Neonatologists
  • Neonatal speech therapists

EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORT

Our clinic strives to improve patient care by providing comprehensive, holistic and evidence-based support for our breastfeeding dyads – both mother and baby. In building our service, we strive to increase awareness of lactational medicine as a specialty service within both the patient and medical community.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

In addition to the clinical front, our team is active in the areas of quality improvement, education and research. 

With the support of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre grant, the clinic conducts educational workshops for clinicians and nurses such as residents from the various specialties involved in the care of mother and baby. 

We are looking towards establishing educational resources and collaborative forums for our specialist and primary care clinicians as well as patients to raise awareness of optimal breastfeeding practices, basic knowledge of infant nutrition as well as recognition and management of early breastfeeding complications.

Our Services

Referral to lactation nurses

  • Assessment of the breastfeeding dyad, including establishing optimal latch and milk expression techniques 

  • Management of common breastfeeding issues such as low milk supply, oversupply and blocked ducts

  • Breastfeeding support

  • Breastfeeding education

Referral to lactation-trained clinicians

  • Antenatal and postpartum consultations for breastfeeding in patients (mother and/or baby with high-risk medical and surgical conditions)

  • Early recognition and medical management of breastfeeding complications (e.g., blocked ducts, mastitis, abscesses and inadequate infant intake)

  • Minimally invasive techniques for managing early complications such as ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

  • Surgical management of late complications such as the incision and drainage of breast abscesses

  • Breastfeeding education

HOW GPs CAN REFER

To refer a patient, please contact the SGH GP Network at:
Tel: 6326 6060
Email: gpnetwork@sgh.com.sg

Our Care Team

Dr Julie Liana Hamzah
Consultant, Dept of Breast Surgery

Dr Yang Liying
Consultant, Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Lactation Nurses

Ms Liow Peck Hoon
Nurse Clinician, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ward

Ms Tan Ah Biah
Assistant Nurse Clinician, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre

Ms Bebe Zaiton Bte Abdullah
Senior Staff Nurse, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre