How I Supported a Mum’s Journey Back to Breastfeeding After Weeks of Bottle Feeding
CLIENT PROFILE
A first-time mum in early 30s | Baby 4 weeks old | Civil servant in Singapore, bottle-feeding for 4 weeks and want to transition baby back to breast
SERVICE RENDERED
Postnatal breastfeeding support
(This service entailed a home visit for a one-to-one consult in Singapore and 2 weeks of text support)
THIS MUM HAD TRIED TO BREASTFEED IN HOSPITAL, BUT WAS TOLD SHE HAD FLAT NIPPLES.
After a month of exclusively bottle-feeding, she still really wanted to breastfeed — but felt unsure if it was still possible. Her baby hadn’t latched since the first few days.
WHAT DID OUR WORK LOOK LIKE
During our 90-minute session at her home, we focused on:
Helping mum and baby find a more comfortable latch and positioning
Encouraging flexible, enjoyable offering of the breast
Coaching both parents on paced bottle feeding and techniques to support the transition from bottle to breast
We approached everything gently, working with her baby’s cues, and focused on making feeding feel calm and safe again.
RESULTS
During the session itself, her baby latched on one side — a turning point that brought mum a huge sense of relief and possibility.
Over the next two weeks, we stayed in close contact through text support.
Mum sent updates, and as she continued to offer the breast generously, baby began to associate it with comfort and connection — not stress or struggle.
Her confidence grew as she watched her baby respond. As she put it:
“I’m glad that baby could still latch well after a month of bottle feeding and am thankful for your support in this journey! Really couldn’t have done it without you.”
WHAT STOOD OUT FOR ME
You really don’t need “perfect” nipples to breastfeed.
You just need the right kind of support — and someone who’ll stay curious with you.
Sometimes we hear things like “flat nipples” and stop there. But this mum’s story reminded me how much more there usually is beneath the surface.
It wasn’t about anatomy in the end.
What really made the difference was finding a stable position that worked for the baby, and creating feedings moments that felt calm, not pressured for both of them.
This mum had a full milk supply. She was motivated and paying close attention to her baby’s cues.
Once she had the knowledge and reassurance to try again in a different way, she began to feel more confident and hopeful. And with a bit of time and trust, her baby came back to the breast. Honestly, I was just super happy for her.
I love this kind of case. It’s such a reminder that sometimes all it takes is that little bit of space to try again.
And when mums ask me if it’s too late, or if it’s worth trying — this is the kind of story I think of.
Because you really never know what’s possible until you give it a go.
