The nurse will place the baby on your chest to establish skin-to-skin contact. Breastfeeding is also initiated if both you and your baby’s condition permits. As KKH is a BFHI-accredited hospital, we advocate skin-to-skin contact and early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, to facilitate optimal mother-child bonding. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life as it provides all the energy and nutrients needed for optimal growth, development and protection against infectious and chronic diseases.
You will also be served a hot drink and biscuits.
After your delivery, you and your baby will be transferred to the postnatal ward. However, this may vary according to your individual circumstances. If your baby requires medical checks/screening, he/she may be brought up to the observation room within the ward earlier.
For secure identification, RFID tags will be attached to you, your baby and your baby’s cot. The RFID tag is a tamper-proof infant tag with a comfortable hypoallergenic strap that will be tagged to your baby’s ankle. The corresponding RFID-enabled tag will be fastened to your wrist, as well as to your baby’s cot. The tags will play a melody when correctly matched.
You and your baby will be reviewed by the medical team daily until you both are discharged from the hospital.
In line with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), rooming-in with your baby is encouraged to promote bonding and facilitate breastfeeding. Babies who require monitoring or treatment such as phototherapy will be cared for in the observation room within the ward.
In line with the WHO’s recommendation on thermal care practices, in the hospital, bathing of the baby will be deferred for the first 24 hours of life. Thereafter, the baby’s daily hygiene will be maintained by cleaning with body wipes, and performing eye toilet and cord toilet with water.
Baby checks and vaccinations will be done at your bedside, together with breastfeeding, swaddling and nappy changing. The nurse will also advise you on how to clean your baby after returning home.
Colostrum – a mother’s first milk – contains high levels of antibodies to help the baby build a strong immune system. It is high in protein, vitamins and minerals to meet the nutritional needs of your baby.
As a BFHI-accredited hospital, we are committed to helping new mothers achieve breastfeeding success. The nurse will advise you on how to breastfeed your baby while you are in hospital. Download this helpful guide on how to - Breastfeed Your Baby - Give Your Child a Headstart.
While in the hospital, you will be taught how to massage your breast and help your baby to latch on correctly. If your baby cannot be breastfed directly for medical reasons, you are encouraged to express your breast milk regularly to prevent engorgement and to initiate lactation. This will ensure that the nutritious colostrum can still be given to your baby.
Electric breast pumps are available for use, free of charge, in the ward. For infection control and hygiene purposes, you will need to purchase the pre-sterilised and disposable breast funnel and bottles. The nurse will help to store the expressed breast milk which you can feed your baby with.
If you are not able to breastfeed for medical reasons, KKH will provide ready-to-feed (RTF) formula milk for your baby. External sources of milk powder are not allowed for safety reasons.
Pasteurised donor human milk from the KK Human Milk Bank can be provided to babies with complex medical conditions who do not have access to their mother’s milk.
Our lactation consultants together with the lactation trained ward nurses are available to provide support and care to help familiarise the mother with breastfeeding techniques. New mothers with lactation concerns after being discharged from the hospital can contact the lactation team to arrange for an appointment to be seen at the Lactation Clinic or through Tele-consultation.
To enquire or schedule an appointment for outpatient or tele-consultation lactation services, please call 6225 5554 and inform the operator to contact Lactation Services.
Cord blood tests
After delivery, part of the cord will be used to draw blood for the essential screening tests below. These tests allow your baby’s doctors to detect abnormalities early and provide early treatment and management.
Newborn physical screening examination
A physician will conduct a full physical examination for your baby. This is usually performed after delivery when your baby has been admitted into your ward.
Universal Newborn hearing screen (UNHS)
Before being discharged from the hospital, your baby will undergo a hearing test – this is an Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test. This test helps to detect hearing loss at birth to facilitate early intervention and treatment.
Inborn error of metabolism (IEM) blood test
This is a heel prick blood test performed by trained technicians. The blood is then sent to the laboratory for screening for IEM conditions.
Pulse Oximetry (SpO2) Screening
A pulse oximetry device (a soft plastic sticky tape probe) will be used to read the oxygen level in your baby’s blood. This is to exclude heart or lung conditions that some babies may be born with. The reading will be performed by the nurses when baby is 22 – 36 hours old over the right hand and one foot (right or left), and will take 10 – 15 minutes to complete.
Vitamin K injection
Vitamin K will be administered via an intramuscular injection to your baby within the first few hours of life. This helps to prevent neonatal haemorrhagic disease (a bleeding disorder which can be caused by Vitamin K deficit).
Vaccinations
The below two vaccines are strongly recommended by the Ministry of Health for all babies after birth, and are usually administered before your baby returns home. These vaccinations will be recorded into your baby’s health booklet as well as the National Immunisation Registry.
The facilities for the wards are as below. Visiting hours are from 10.00am to 8.00pm daily.
A1 Ward (Single-bedded)
B1 Ward (four-bedded)
B2/C Ward (six-bedded)
From 29 May 2022, parents will have to register the birth of their newborns via the LifeSG app within 42 days of birth.
With this, in-person birth registration services will cease at hospitals and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building. Collection of a physical birth certificate is no longer needed.
Following the registration on LifeSG, parents will be notified to download their child’s digital birth certificate via an ICA e-Service known as the “electronic Retrieval of Certificates and Instant Verification”, which can be accessed on the ICA website or via MyICA Mobile
Useful links:
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
