By early 2026, mothers across Singapore will have better access to clean and comfortable spaces in public to breastfeed or express milk. A total of 60 new lactation pods will be installed in busy areas such as libraries, parks, public transport hubs, and office campuses.
The initiative was launched on August 5 by local start-up and social enterprise Go!Mama, in collaboration with Temasek Foundation and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. This roll-out is Go!Mama’s largest to date and brings the project past the halfway point towards its target of 300 pods by the end of 2026.
So far, Go!Mama has installed nearly 100 lactation pods across Singapore. Since the service began in 2021 with an initial trial of five pods on Sentosa, more than 20,000 mothers and caregivers have used the facilities, as per reports. On average, users spend around 20 minutes in the pod to nurse their babies, pump milk, or take a short break.
In addition to this effort, Singapore has recently updated building regulations to support breastfeeding mothers. In February 2024, the Building and Construction Authority revised its code to require all new buildings with a gross floor area of 5,000 square metres or more to include at least one lactation room. This is a reduction from the earlier requirement of 10,000 square metres.
The updated guidelines also set basic standards for such rooms, including minimum space, power sockets, and mirrors, and state clearly that they should not be located within toilets. These new rules will come into effect in November 2024 for both new developments and buildings undergoing major renovations.
At the launch event on August 5, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah said that in older buildings that are not being renovated, or where there are layout or space issues, these pods can be an effective solution.
She said that in existing buildings that are not undergoing renovation or have limitations in space or layout, lactation pods can play an important role. According to her, these pods offer a flexible solution that can be deployed easily to support breastfeeding mothers and employees by giving them a private space to nurse.
“Additional lactation pods in public spaces will benefit many breastfeeding mothers. More importantly, their deployment signals the strong support and partnership from our private sector and community partners in building a Singapore made for families and in fostering a society that supports and values parenthood,” she said, as quoted by The Straits Times.
“Women are a crucial part of our workforce, and it is important that our workplaces evolve to support them at different stages of their parental journey,” she said.
To mark Singapore’s 60th year of independence, the new pods will also feature heritage-themed artwork.
Speaking to ST, Go!Mama founder Vivian Lee said, “The heritage-inspired artwork reflects Singapore’s evolving story – one where care and inclusion are woven into our shared spaces. We wanted these pods to stand out, not hide in the background, and serve as visible reminders that supporting families is a responsibility we all share.”
