Breastfeeding on Public Trains and Buses

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Transport whether mothers are allowed to breastfeed their children onboard public trains and buses.

Mr Speaker, Sir, breastfeeding is not prohibited on our public buses and trains. For those who prefer privacy while breastfeeding, we provide nursing rooms at key transport nodes and will continue to build more.

Thank you, Sir, and this is the last question on breastfeeding. I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for saying that it is not prohibited on our trains and buses. But as I shared with him, the SMRT website still says this today to an FAQ, "Can I breastfeed or feed my children?" And the reply is, "For the comfort of other passengers, it is best to feed your children before entering our stations." So, if it is not prohibited, then, could we not send the message to say that it is best not to do it?

Mr Speaker, Sir, as in my reply, there is no prohibition. Mothers are allowed to breastfeed their babies and children on buses and trains. We will advise the PTOs to be clearer in their websites or FAQs so that mothers are not deterred from doing so.

One last supplementary question. Can I also just confirm that they are allowed to breastfeed their babies without a cover on?

Sir, there is no regulation for mothers to be covered up while nursing their babies on trains and buses.