Sikkim Introduces Breastfeeding Pods To Make Public Spaces Safer For Mothers

In a move that speaks to the evolving needs of mothers in India, the state of Sikkim has begun installing dedicated breastfeeding pods across public spaces like markets and hospitals. What might seem like a small cabin with a fan and some seating is actually a symbol of changing times and of greater awareness around what it means to support women in everyday life.

The initiative, developed under the state's Women and Child Welfare Department, is grounded in everyday realities. For mothers who spend long hours in markets, either as vendors, shoppers, or travellers, the lack of private, hygienic spaces for nursing has often meant making do with corners, parked vehicles, or worse, public toilets. The breastfeeding pods are designed to offer comfort, privacy, and a sense of dignity, with several of them now functional in key towns like Gangtok, Namchi, Soreng, Mangan, and Pakyong. 

The latest pod, installed by the department, was inaugurated at Pakyong Bazar (market) in the headquarters town in Pakyong district on July 3, in the presence of a number of women who came to see the facility, confirms Joint Director Pema Lhamu.

From Awkward Moments to Considered Design 

The project reportedly took shape after a local official saw a woman bottle-feeding her baby in a crowded area and asked her why she didn't breastfeed. Her response, "I feel awkward doing it in public", sparked the idea. Since then, the design has aimed to reflect what most mothers say they want, clean interiors, a place to sit, and an assurance that no one will walk in unannounced.

In some areas, the pods are being placed near hospitals and bazars, with signs that indicate their purpose. Nurses and support staff have also been briefed to guide women and ensure the pods remain safe and accessible.

A Pod in the Middle of the Market 

A young mother working as a street vendor said the pod made her feel "seen for the first time." Another said it was the first time she fed her child outside without anxiety. In a state where open breastfeeding is not widely normalised in public, these pods create a soft boundary neither invisible nor overbearing, between the private act and the public space.

Older women in the region have expressed a mix of nostalgia and approval. Some recalled the days when mothers found whatever little privacy they could, behind curtains, under staircases, or even between buildings. Others welcomed the change, saying it was "about time" such things were considered part of urban planning. These pods are not just tools of convenience. They're a quiet recognition that maternal care extends beyond hospitals. It means understanding what it's like to carry a baby in one arm while managing daily life with the other. It means designing a city not just for commuters, but for caregivers too.