TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life is highly recommended for breastfeeding mothers, but concerns about producing enough breast milk often make it challenging for many women to achieve this.
As reported by Channel News Asia and cited by Antara, on Monday, April 6, 2026, the 2021/2022 National Breastfeeding and Child Feeding Survey in Singapore found that around 46 percent of mothers breastfeed exclusively for up to three months, but that figure drops to around 35 percent among those with babies aged four to five months.
At six months, only 3.3 percent of babies are still exclusively breastfed.
Nurhanesah A. Rahman, a senior nurse at Poliklinik Tengah and internationally certified lactation consultant, said that while physiological breast milk shortages do occur, perceived breast milk shortages are much more common, especially in the early postpartum period, around the first 10 days after delivery.
"This mistaken perception often leads mothers to supplement with formula or stop breastfeeding, even when their babies are getting enough milk and growing normally," she said.
According to senior lactation consultant Chen Liqin, breastfeeding eight to 12 times in 24 hours is perfectly normal newborn behavior. However, it's a common misconception that newborns who breastfeed frequently aren't getting enough milk.
"Newborns have very small stomachs and are unable to hold a large volume of milk at one time. Therefore, feeding based on the baby’s hunger cues, rather than strictly following the clock, is generally recommended," Chen explains.
A pattern of breastfeeding more frequently in short bursts in the afternoon or evening can also worry new parents, but this pattern occurs because prolactin levels (the hormone responsible for milk production) tend to be low in the afternoon.
In fact, breastfeeding frequently in short bursts can help stimulate the breasts, signaling the body to increase milk production.
According to Nurhanesah, a baby who is breastfeeding well will exhibit several signs. Parents may hear swallowing sounds and the mother's breasts will feel softer afterward, which indicates good milk transfer.
"The baby will appear satiated after feedings, has steady weight gain and an adequate number of diaper changes," she said.
On the other hand, some signs may indicate that the baby is not getting enough milk. For example, there may be no or little change in the mother's breast fullness after feedings, or if the baby seems consistently restless despite frequent feedings.
Other signs indicating poor milk intake include fewer wet diapers than expected, infrequent bowel movements, or poor weight gain over time.
In such situations, a lactation consultant or healthcare professional can help.
"An early assessment can help determine whether the baby is latching well and transferring milk effectively, and whether additional support or adjustments to breastfeeding techniques are needed," Chen said.
Experts also explain that the mother's overall well-being plays a crucial role in milk production.
To protect her milk supply during the challenging early postpartum period, Chen encourages mothers to learn about breastfeeding and newborn care during pregnancy, establish a feeding plan early, and ensure adequate support after delivery.
Read: Why Mothers Need to Stay Calm While Breastfeeding
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