In a bid to address its declining birth rate, Singapore is expanding access to breastfeeding facilities with the launch of 60 new lactation pods by Q1 2026. Local start-up Go!Mama, in partnership with Temasek Foundation and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, unveiled the initiative on Tuesday, ahead of Singapore’s 60th National Day. The pods, designed to provide nursing mothers with clean, private spaces to breastfeed or express milk, are part of a broader strategy to make the city-state more family-friendly and encourage young couples to have children.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Indranee Rajah, highlighted the pods’ significance at the launch, stating, “The pods are a flexible option that can be easily deployed to support breastfeeding mothers and employees, providing them with a dedicated space to nurse.” The initiative, Go!Mama’s most ambitious yet, marks progress toward its goal of 300 pods by the end of 2026. Currently, nearly 100 pods across Singapore have served over 20,000 mothers and caregivers, with an average session lasting 20 minutes for breastfeeding or pumping.
Strategically placed in high-traffic areas like parks, libraries, transport hubs, and office campuses, the pods feature comfortable seating, dimmable lighting, USB charging points for breast pumps, and heritage-inspired artwork celebrating Singapore’s 60th anniversary. Accessible via the Go!Mama app with Singpass verification, these pods offer a hygienic alternative to makeshift spaces like toilets or storerooms, addressing long-standing concerns about inadequate nursing facilities. A 2023 trial at Sentosa saw over 1,000 sessions in six months, prompting expansion to mainland hotspots like Sengkang CC and Republic Polytechnic.
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Singapore’s fertility rate, at a historic low of 0.97 in 2024, has spurred initiatives like the Baby Bonus Scheme, offering up to S$14,000 per child, and extended maternity (16 weeks) and paternity (4 weeks) leave. Despite these efforts, high living costs and work-life balance challenges deter young couples, with only 35,605 births recorded in 2024. Breastfeeding support, backed by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative since 2013, is a key pillar, with 90% of mothers initiating breastfeeding but only 40% continuing beyond six months due to workplace and public space limitations.
The pods align with advocacy from groups like the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group (BMSG), which emphasizes normalizing breastfeeding through better infrastructure. “Having a good environment for mothers is critical,” said Ms. Lee, a user of Go!Mama pods, noting that their availability reassures potential parents. While some X posts suggest societal pressures discourage parenthood, the pods signal Singapore’s commitment to fostering a supportive ecosystem for families, countering economic and cultural barriers to population growth.
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