Breastfeeding on Public Trains and Buses
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether mothers are allowed to breastfeed on public trains and buses, as raised by Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng stated that breastfeeding is not prohibited and nursing rooms are available at key transport nodes for those seeking privacy. He confirmed there is no regulation requiring mothers to be covered while nursing and that Public Transport Operators will be advised to clarify their FAQs to avoid deterring mothers. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng noted that breastfeeding is permitted on public transport while the government continues to build more facilities.
Transcript
3 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Transport whether mothers are allowed to breastfeed their children onboard public trains and buses.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport (Mr Baey Yam Keng) (for the Minister for Transport): 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.
Mr Speaker: Mr Louis Ng.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon): 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 Baey Yam Keng: 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.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: One last supplementary question. Can I also just confirm that they are allowed to breastfeed their babies without a cover on?
Mr Baey Yam Keng: Sir, there is no regulation for mothers to be covered up while nursing their babies on trains and buses.
Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.