Mama Melodies
New mothers need our support
Motherhood is a major life transition. The early months of motherhood can be beautiful, overwhelming, and isolating — often all at once. It is not uncommon for new mothers to feel anxious or exhausted. If these negative feelings persist, it could be a sign of postnatal depression (PND), a condition that 10-15% of new mothers in Singapore experience.
Mama Melodies is a 10-week, evidence-based singing programme designed to support new mothers through group singing, music and movements, in a welcoming, baby-friendly environment. Mothers are at the heart of Mama Melodies, which is accessible to everyone regardless of singing / musical / language ability, etc.
It is the first-of-its-kind programme outside of Europe that is informed by Breathe Melodies for Mums** run by Breathe Arts Health Research in the UK, and aims to reduce PND symptoms, and foster an encouraging and supportive community for mothers, without fear of judgement. Breathe Melodies for Mums has also been brought to other European cities by the World Health Organisation.
Features
Click here to watch a video feature of Mama Melodies in Healthier Together, a series developed in consultation with the WHO Foundation and produced for organisations by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions.
What our participants say
“Transformative. Beautiful. And ‘soul awakening’. The bonding experience between my baby and me has been magical and the joy I’ve found in singing has lightened my life.”
“Mama Melodies is a safe haven for mummies to gather and sing, let their babies enjoy and move freely with no fear or judgment. At least for one hour in a week, being fully seen and accepted just the way we are is very healing.”
“Mama Melodies gave my baby a rare chance to meet other babies, and it also supported my own mental well-being through music, singing, and a warm, welcoming environment. Having a meaningful place to go every weekend was such a joy — I felt comforted.”
*In our inaugural run of Mama Melodies, 79% of our participants showed a clinically significant reduction in PND symptoms as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).** Breathe Melodies for Mums is based on ground-breaking research by the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London. SHAW Studios adapted the programme to include familiar songs from Singapore and Southeast Asia. In Singapore, our programme is delivered by trained local artist facilitators with expertise in music and community engagement.