At this year’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) celebrations hosted by the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group (BMSG) Singapore, Eliza Koo, founder of Tender Loving Milk and a certified IBCLC, captivated the audience with her heartfelt and practical talk on creating sustainable breastfeeding support systems. Drawing on both personal experience as a mother of three and over 2,000 hours of direct breastfeeding support, Eliza offered an inspiring mix of evidence-based guidance and real-world tips for families.

Opening her talk with a glimpse into her personal life, Eliza shared photos of her family, explaining that her journey into full-time lactation consulting began while juggling a corporate career and volunteer work. “Two years ago, I decided to go full-time supporting breastfeeding families. Now, every day, I get to speak with mothers, hear their challenges, and guide them through this journey,” she said. Currently breastfeeding her two-year-old, Eliza emphasised the unique experiences of nursing a toddler versus an infant and the joy of sharing these moments with other parents.

Foundations of Successful Breastfeeding

Eliza stressed the importance of establishing breastfeeding routines right from birth. Her key recommendations included:

• Skin-to-skin contact: She encouraged uninterrupted skin-to-skin for the first hour after birth, highlighting benefits such as activating natural feeding reflexes in the baby and boosting maternal oxytocin for milk production.

• Breast crawl and hand expression: Early, gentle techniques help newborns latch effectively while supporting mothers’ milk supply.

• Recognising hunger cues: Eliza engaged the audience with interactive quizzes, teaching that early hunger cues often precede crying and can be easily missed by new parents.

She also shared practical tips for comfortable feeding, emphasising positions that allow mothers to rest while nursing. “Imagine feeding a newborn ten times a day while sitting upright each time—it’s exhausting. Finding positions that are sustainable is key,” she said, demonstrating techniques like side-lying to help mothers feed comfortably.

Building a Support System

Beyond individual techniques, Eliza highlighted the crucial role of support networks in breastfeeding success:

• Partner and family support: Studies cited by Eliza show that when partners are actively involved, exclusive breastfeeding rates can rise from 50% to 71%. She noted that partners benefit from practical guidance, like learning to help with positioning and observing baby’s cues.

• Extended family influence: Supportive grandmothers or other family members increase breastfeeding success, while conflicting advice can overwhelm new mothers.

• Healthcare system backing: Hospitals and clinics play a vital role in providing evidence-based guidance. Eliza stressed the need for updated training and clear communication between healthcare providers and families.

Eliza also touched on broader societal changes, advocating for education on breastfeeding in schools, workplace support for nursing parents, and normalising referrals to certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) when needed.

Community Matters

A strong theme throughout her talk was the power of community. Eliza described the Tender Loving Milk community of over 200 mothers, where families can share experiences, ask questions, and support one another. She also introduced initiatives like free breastfeeding cafés, playdates, and guided motherhood journals to encourage peer-to-peer support and shared learning.

Concluding her talk, Eliza left the audience with an encouraging message: “Don’t feel like you have to do this alone. There’s a whole network of support out there—from partners, family, healthcare providers, to communities like BMSG. Breastfeeding can be a joyful, sustainable experience when we have the right support system.”

Eliza Koo’s session at WBW 2025 was not just informative but deeply empowering, blending practical knowledge with empathy and humour. Her insights serve as a timely reminder that sustainable breastfeeding is a collective effort, rooted in self-efficacy, education, and community support.

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