Sikkim’s Bold Step: Creating Public Spaces for Nursing Mothers
Sikkim became the first state in India to extend breastfeeding support infrastructure to public markets and urban centers. The state now boasts ‘feeding pods’ where nursing mothers can breastfeed or express milk in private and sterile, fully sealed compartments. Sikkim is leading the way in transforming maternal health and women’s rights since these pods significantly improve nursing mothers’ privacy compared to the public toilets and secluded alleys women had to use to disguise feeding their infants. Their installation is guided by the Women, Child, Senior Citizens & Persons with Disabilities Welfare and Development Department, which captures the state’s commitment to enabling women and families to engage freely in all aspects of public life.
The Rollout: Where Are the Breastfeeding Pods Located?
As of July 2025, Sikkim has six breastfeeding pods located in the market centers of five out of the six districts. These include Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Soreng, Rangpo, and Pakyong. The most recently inaugurated pod was located at Pakyong Bazar and opened on July 3. Like other women in Sikkim, designated managers of the pod expressed excitement over the new facilities. There is also one other pod located at MG Marg in Gangtok. It is operated by the district administration. Similar facilities are planned for other sub-divisional towns and the Gyalshing district, ensuring that comprehensive coverage is achieved across the entire state in the foreseeable future.
Why Breastfeeding Pods? The Story Behind the Initiative.
These breastfeeding pods were birthed from a moment in Mangan in 2024 where a woman was spotted feeding her child formula milk in a marketplace. When questioned, she stated, “Breastfeeding in public was awkward and embarrassing,” clearly showing the need for private, yet respectful areas for mothers to nurse. The department’s decision to provide breastfeeding support stemmed from the realization that public health drives must support women’s dignity and visibility within society.
Facilities and Support: More than just a room.
To ensure these pods are utilized efficiently, they are equipped with seating, changing stations for diapers, fans, and other basic hygienic amenities. All district hospitals are now supported by the state government to provide dedicated breastfeeding rooms staffed by specialized nurses termed “BreastfeedingAngels” who support lactating mothers. Healthcare in Sikkim is anticipated to transform with the introduction of primary health centers and dispensaries for nursing mothers through the dispensing of these specialized services.
Social Change and Women’s Empowerment
The adoption of breastfeeding pods is being hailed as an attitude shift toward motherhood and women’s rights in India. While public breastfeeding used to be frowned upon, Sikkim is being hailed as a progressive state for normalizing the breastfeeding culture. It also seeks to address government initiatives to fight malnutrition and nurture the growth of infants, as breastfeeding is essential for good nutrition and boosted immunity.
Government Vision: Malnutrition-Free Sikkim
Initiate breastfeeding pods as a partial step towards Sikkim’s wider vision of achieving a “malnutrition-free state,” where the government will fund 100% of infant and maternal malnutrition. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang is also tackling low fertility rates with a diverse range of women’s health and child-focused programs along with improving maternal health.
Looking Ahead: A Model for the Nation
Healthcare professionals, mothers, and women’s rights supporters have applauded Sikkim for the initiative, and its reception has been positive. The rest of the country, however, is still adapting to Shikkim’s approach, which advocates for the creation of inclusive public spaces for all citizens.
