Raising a child in Singapore can feel expensive — but did you know there are generous government baby benefits to help you along the way? Whether you’re planning for your first baby or already navigating sleepless nights, this updated 2025 guide breaks down the key schemes, how much you can get, and how to apply.
We kid you not — the support adds up quickly when you know where to look!
- Baby Bonus Cash Gift (Enhanced in 2023)
The Baby Bonus Cash Gift helps you with the early costs of raising a child, and it’s automatically disbursed over a period of time.
How much you’ll receive (for babies born on or after 14 Feb 2023):
• 1st and 2nd child: $11,000
• 3rd child onwards: $13,000
The payout is made in 7 installments — starting within weeks of registering your child’s birth, and continuing until your child turns 6.
Pro Tip: Register your child’s birth early to kickstart the payout process!
- Child Development Account (CDA) & CDA First Step Grant
The CDA is a special savings account you open for your baby. The government helps you grow this savings through:
a. CDA First Step Grant:
Automatically credited by the government — no matching required.
• Amount: $5,000 (as of 2023)
b. Dollar-for-dollar matching:
When you top up the CDA, the government will match your savings up to:
• 1st child: $4,000
• 2nd child: $7,000
• 3rd and 4th child: $9,000
• 5th child onwards: $15,000
You can use CDA funds for:
• Childcare and preschool fees
• MediSave-approved healthcare expenses
• Optical services
• Approved insurance premiums (like MediShield Life upgrades)
- MediSave Maternity Package (MMP)
The MMP lets you use your CPF MediSave savings to pay for:
• Pre-delivery medical expenses (consultations, tests, ultrasounds)
• Delivery charges
• Hospital stay
Withdrawal limits:
• Up to $900 for pre-delivery
• Up to $3,000 for normal delivery
• Up to $6,000 for C-section delivery
Submit your hospital receipts to your delivery hospital, and they’ll help consolidate and submit the claim.
- Enhanced Paid Maternity Leave
Eligible working mothers are entitled to:
• 16 weeks of paid maternity leave for Singaporean children
• For non-citizen children: At least 12 weeks (subject to employment terms)
You must have worked for your employer for at least 3 months before the birth.
- Paternity Leave & Shared Parental Leave
Fathers aren’t left out!
• 2 weeks of paid paternity leave (for working dads of Singapore citizen children)
• Up to 4 weeks of shared parental leave (mum can transfer part of her maternity leave)
Encouraging shared responsibility from Day 1!
- Tax Reliefs and Parent-Friendly Perks
a. Parenthood Tax Rebate (PTR)
One-time tax rebate for parents of Singapore citizen children:
• 1st child: $5,000
• 2nd child: $10,000
• 3rd child onwards: $20,000
You can split this rebate with your spouse.
b. Working Mother’s Child Relief (WMCR)
Working mothers can claim up to 15% to 25% of earned income as tax relief (based on the number of children).
- Infant Care & Childcare Subsidies
Subsidies help reduce the monthly cost of childcare centres, kindergartens, and infant care.
Basic Subsidy (Applicable to All):
• Infant care: Up to $600/month
• Childcare: Up to $300/month
Additional Subsidy (means-tested):
• Available to families with monthly household income below $12,000 or $3,000 per capita income (if more than 4 family members)
You’ll need to apply via your preschool operator.
- Free Newborn Health Screening & Vaccinations
Under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, your child receives fully subsidised vaccinations for:
• Hepatitis B
• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
• Polio
• MMR
• Pneumococcal (PCV)
• And more
These are administered at polyclinics or CHAS GP clinics.
How to Get Started
Here’s what you can do right after your baby is born:
1. Register your baby’s birth (via LifeSG app)
2. Link your bank account to receive Baby Bonus cash
3. Open a CDA account (available via DBS, OCBC, or UOB)
4. Keep receipts for pre-delivery expenses to submit for MediSave Maternity Package claims
5. Talk to your HR about maternity/paternity leave entitlements
6. Explore CDA-approved services your baby might need
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