Baby Bonus 2025: $10,000 First Step Grant for 3rd Child

Raising children in Singapore isn’t cheap, and anyone juggling three or more kids will tell you the bills add up faster than you expect. From diapers to preschool fees, everything climbs a little higher each year. That’s why the Baby Bonus Scheme 2025 update feels like a real relief for growing households, especially families stretching their dollars from Jurong East to Pasir Ris.

The big news? Parents welcoming their 3rd child onwards from 18 February 2025 will receive a $10,000 Child Development Account (CDA) First Step Grant—automatically, without putting in a single dollar upfront.

This marks the start of a refreshed “Large Families Scheme,” designed to support households managing rising costs and long-term childcare needs.

Summary Table: Baby Bonus Enhancements for 2025 (3rd Child Onwards)

Component	Before 2025	From 18 Feb 2025	Who Gets It
CDA First Step Grant	$5,000	$10,000	3rd child onwards
Large Family MediSave	–	$5,000	Mother
Large Family LifeSG Credits	–	$6,000 over six years	3rd child onwards
Baby Bonus Cash Gift	$11,000	$13,000	3rd child onwards

The New “Large Families Scheme”: What Changes in 2025

1. $10,000 First Step Grant (CDA) — Doubled for 3rd Child Onwards

Under the upgraded scheme, families with a 3rd or subsequent child will receive a $10,000 First Step Grant, up from the long-standing $5,000.

You don’t need to top up anything. Once you open your child’s CDA via DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB, the grant lands inside automatically.

Eligibility:

• Child must be a Singapore Citizen
• Born on or after 18 February 2025

This boost alone helps parents cover early expenses like preschool fees, childcare, and health-related costs at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions (AIs).

2. $5,000 MediSave Grant for Mothers (3rd Child Onwards)

Here’s something many mums will appreciate. Under the Large Families Scheme, mothers get a $5,000 MediSave top-up when giving birth to their 3rd or subsequent child.

It’s credited directly into the mother’s MediSave account and can be used for:

• Pregnancy and delivery bills
• Hospitalisation
• MediShield Life premiums
• Future outpatient needs

It’s a straightforward way to soften the medical bill shock many families feel before the baby even comes home.

3. $6,000 LifeSG Credits to Help With Daily Expenses

Parents raising multiple children know how much everyday necessities can pinch. To ease this, the government will issue $1,000 per year in LifeSG credits for six years.

Credits start when the child turns one year old and continue until age six. They can be spent at participating merchants, from heartland shops and optical stores to baby retailers.

Across six years, that’s $6,000 back into household spending.

Total Support for 3rd Child: Now More Than $43,000

Here’s how the upgraded package stacks up for families:

• $13,000 Baby Bonus Cash Gift
• $10,000 First Step Grant (CDA)
• Up to $9,000 government co-matching (if parents save into CDA)
• $5,000 MediSave for mother
• $6,000 LifeSG credits

When fully used, the total support crosses $43,000, which is nearly double what first-time parents receive.

How the Baby Bonus Cash Gift Is Paid Out

The cash gift doesn’t come all at once. It’s stretched over 6.5 years to help families manage ongoing costs.

For the 3rd child, the payout schedule is:

• At Birth: $4,000
• 6 Months: $2,000
• 12 Months: $2,000
• 18 Months: $1,000
• Age 2–6.5: $400 every six months

Parents often say these steady payouts help with things like milk formula, vaccinations, preschool fees, or even transport to and from childcare.

How to Apply (Simple LifeSG Process)

Everything now runs through the LifeSG app, which most parents already use:

Step 1: Register your baby’s birth

The app automatically prompts you to apply for the Baby Bonus Scheme.

Step 2: Choose your bank

Pick DBS, UOB, or OCBC for the CDA.

Step 3: Wait for confirmation

You’ll get an SMS when the CDA opens and when funds drop in.

It’s a smooth system—no need to queue or handle paper forms.

Eligibility Checklist

You’re eligible if:

• Your child is a Singapore Citizen
• Born on or after 18 Feb 2025
• Parents are legally married (unwed parents may still qualify for CDA benefits but not the full cash gift)

If you’re unsure, you can check your personalised eligibility inside the LifeSG app.

Why This Matters for Larger Families

If you’re considering a 3rd child—or you already have a big brood—the 2025 enhancements really do shift the picture. The $10,000 CDA grant is a meaningful cushion, especially when infant care and preschool fees can easily run into hundreds each month.

Combine that with the $13,000 cash gift, $5,000 MediSave, and $6,000 in LifeSG credits, and the government is covering a sizeable chunk of early childhood costs that usually strain families the most.

In a time when cost of living support really matters—whether it’s groceries at FairPrice or necessities from your nearby heartland shops—these enhancements offer breathing room for parents trying to raise happy, healthy kids in Singapore.

Official References

For the most accurate status of your benefits or to check eligibility, please visit:

• Made For Families (Govt): Large Families Scheme Details
• Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF): Baby Bonus Online
• LifeSG: Campaign & Eligibility Check

Disclaimer: This article is based on the “Large Families Scheme” and Budget 2025 policies effective as of late 2025. Policy details are subject to change. Please refer to MSF or the Baby Bonus portal for your specific household assessment.