Breastfeeding and Newborn Care by Thomson ParentCraft Centre

As a mum-to-be, we all want to prepare ourselves to be the best mother we can be. The time leading up to childbirth is a time we reflect, learn, and get ready for motherhood. It can be a mixed bag of excitement and anxiety but it is an amazing experience.

And we have so many questions - Will I be able to hold the baby well? How will I bathe the baby? How can I ensure the baby is healthy? Will I be able to breastfeed?

Having all these questions combined with the excitement of becoming a mother you can sometimes feel overwhelmed. But do not worry. There are ways for us to prepare ourselves and be ready for all the excitement and challenges that come with motherhood. 

This is why we dropped by the Thomson ParentCraft Centre in Singapore to look at a holistic approach to preparing for motherhood well in time.

The front reception greeted us with warm smiles as we entered the clinic. We met Ms. Sun Rong, a lactation consultant from Thomson ParentCraft Centre. She has shared some great insights about baby care and breastfeeding with us. 

During a very interesting conversation, she also told us that mums-to-be at week 37 could harvest their colostrum. She also demonstrated how to handle the baby well.

How wonderful is this!

As you can see from the video below, there are some easy techniques that you can follow for your baby.

Below is an excerpt from the interview with Ms. Sun Rong on preparing yourself for breastfeeding even before delivery.

1. Do I need to prepare for breastfeeding before delivery?

Not necessary unless you notice your nipples appear to be short or inverted. Please consider booking an appointment to see a Lactation Consultant, and she will advise you accordingly.

2. What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the beginning of the breast milk produced during pregnancy, rich in antibodies and nutrients for newborn babies’ immunity and growth.

3. How do I hand express, and when can I start to hand express?

Please refer to the video on how to hand express.

For mothers who would like to do colostrum harvesting, they can start at or after 37 weeks of pregnancy. Mothers can also collect milk any time after delivery when the baby is not latching well on the breasts.

4. How do I store my colostrum?

Keep colostrum in a sterile syringe with the original wrapper, and store it in an air-tight container. You can keep this for 48 hours in a chiller with a temperature of 4⁰C or lower or for 2 to 6 months in a freezer.

5. Can I use a pump after I deliver my baby?

Sure, especially if the baby is not latching well. A special note to you that hand expression can collect more colostrum than a breast pump before breast milk kicks in.

6. Will I know if I have a flat or inverted nipple before delivering my baby?

Yes. Most of the mothers-to-be will know. If you are not sure, please check with your O&G doctor or book an appointment with a Lactation Consultant for checking and preparation so that you don’t face any problems while breastfeeding.

7. When is usually a good time to join an antenatal class?

You can join at 20 weeks of pregnancy or after.

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