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Baby Bonus & Baby Cost Calculator (Singapore)
See how much government support you will receive for your baby, the Baby Bonus Cash Gift, the CDA First Step grant and dollar-for-dollar matching, and the MediSave Grant for Newborns, then weigh it against the typical cost of your first year.
Figures current for births in 2025-2026 · last reviewed June 2026 · source: MSF / Made For Families & CPF
Total government support
How the support adds up
For a Singapore Citizen baby, the three main schemes are the Baby Bonus Cash Gift, the Child Development Account (CDA), and the MediSave Grant for Newborns. Here is what each gives, by birth order, for births in 2025-2026:
| Support | 1st & 2nd child | 3rd & beyond |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Bonus Cash Gift | $11,000 | $13,000 |
| CDA First Step (automatic) | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| CDA matching cap | $4,000 (1st), $7,000 (2nd) | $9,000 (3rd-4th), $15,000 (5th+) |
| MediSave Grant for Newborns | $5,000 | $5,000 |
The CDA matching is the maximum the government will add, and only on what you deposit. The First Step grant is given automatically without any deposit. Source: Made For Families (MSF) and CPF.
When the Cash Gift is paid
The Cash Gift is paid in instalments into your child's account, not all at once:
| When | 1st & 2nd child | 3rd & beyond |
|---|---|---|
| At birth | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| 6 & 12 months | $1,500 each | $2,000 each |
| 18 months | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Then every 6 months to age 6.5 | $400 each | $400 each |
Other support to know about
- Large Families Scheme (3rd child onwards, born from 18 Feb 2025): the bigger $10,000 First Step grant, plus annual Large Families LifeSG Credits up to the child's 6th year (check MSF for the current credit amount).
- Parental leave: 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave, and Government-Paid Paternity Leave (recently increased to up to 4 weeks for eligible fathers), with Shared Parental Leave being expanded. Check MOM or MSF for your exact entitlement.
- Infant and childcare subsidies: separate monthly subsidies that cut your childcare fees, especially for working mothers. Estimate yours with our childcare subsidy calculator.
- MediSave for delivery: you can also pay much of the birth itself from MediSave. See our delivery cost comparison.
What a baby actually costs in the first year
Costs vary a lot with your choices, but these are the typical ranges Singapore parents see (estimates, not government figures):
- Delivery: from around $1,300 in a subsidised public ward to $10,000+ in a private hospital (more for a caesarean). See the delivery cost tool.
- Antenatal care through pregnancy: roughly $700 to $4,000.
- Confinement nanny (28 days): around $3,000 to $4,000, if you hire one.
- Diapers and formula: roughly $50 to $80 a month for diapers, and $50 to $100 a month if formula feeding. Compare brands with our formula cost calculator.
- Infant care (if used): often a few hundred dollars a month after subsidies.
The good news: for most families, the Baby Bonus, CDA and MediSave grant together more than cover the basics of the first year.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Baby Bonus in Singapore?
The Baby Bonus Cash Gift is $11,000 for your 1st and 2nd child and $13,000 for your 3rd and later child (births from 14 February 2023). It is paid in instalments into your child's account up to age 6.5.
What is the CDA First Step grant?
It is a grant credited automatically to your child's Child Development Account without any deposit: $5,000 for your 1st and 2nd child, and $10,000 for your 3rd and later child (births from 18 February 2025).
How does CDA dollar-for-dollar matching work?
On top of First Step, the government matches your own CDA savings dollar-for-dollar, up to a cap: $4,000 for the 1st child, $7,000 for the 2nd, $9,000 for the 3rd and 4th, and $15,000 for the 5th and beyond. You only get the match on what you actually deposit.
How much is the MediSave Grant for Newborns?
It is $5,000 for babies born on or after 1 April 2025 (it was $4,000 before that). It goes into your baby's MediSave to pay for MediShield Life premiums, vaccinations and approved healthcare.
Can I spend the CDA money on anything?
No. CDA funds can only be used at approved institutions such as childcare and infant-care centres, kindergartens, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and optical shops. The Cash Gift, paid separately, is more flexible.
What is the total I could receive for one child?
For a 1st child who tops up the CDA fully, that is $11,000 Cash Gift + $5,000 First Step + up to $4,000 matching + $5,000 MediSave grant, around $25,000 in support. Use the calculator above for your situation.
Do PRs or foreigners get the Baby Bonus?
The Baby Bonus Cash Gift and CDA require the child to be a Singapore Citizen. The MediSave Grant for Newborns also requires citizenship. Eligibility also depends on the parents' marital status, so check the official Baby Bonus site.
