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Mark Zuckerberg is taking 2 months of it; Marissa Mayer is taking just 2 weeks.
It’s parental leave and it’s a hot topic. Fortunately, the latest conversations have resulted in mostly positive changes for new parents. In 2015, several large firms began offering extended paid leave to one or both parents of a new baby. Netflix now offers 12-16 weeks, Adobe up to 26 weeks, Amazon and Facebook both offer 20 weeks of paid parental leave. As the leaders in the tech and retail industries, their policies are likely to be adopted by other companies competing for top talent and touting their family friendly values to the influential mom demographic.
While there has been no substantial progress on a federal mandate for paid parental leave, 3 states have gone ahead with their own policies. California began offering 6 weeks of paid leave to new parents in 2004, New Jersey in 2009. Rhode Island started offering 4 weeks of paid leave in 2014. Recently, the International Labor Organization reviewed parental leave policies in 185 countries and territories, and found that all countries except two (the United States of America and Papua New Guinea) have federal laws mandating paid parental leave. For example, our Canadian neighbors are granted up to a year of paid leave (up to 55% of pay) after the birth of a child.
The first days of parenthood are exhausting, we all know this. Establishing breastfeeding and other baby care routines takes time and large amounts of mental and physical energy. Having time at home, without forgoing a paycheck, allows mothers to prioritize caring for themselves and their baby. Progressive paid leave policies, available to all parents regardless of income or industry, level the playing field and reduce health inequality in the long and short term.
Research shows short maternity leaves are linked to short or non-existent exclusive breastfeeding durations. In a 2014 study, mothers planning to return to work at 6 weeks or less were the least likely to exclusively breastfeed at any time before returning to employment. The most frequent reason mothers say they are returning to work? Financial pressure, not surprisingly.
The link between health and breastfeeding is well established. Breastfed babies have stronger immune systems, fewer chronic illnesses and lower rates of obesity. The impact of a breastfed baby on the family budget is insignificant compared to cost of formula feeding and the related expenses.
In a 1999 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, in the first year of life, there were 2033 excess office visits, 212 excess days of hospitalization, and 609 excess prescriptions for these three illnesses per 1000 never-breastfed infants compared with 1000 infants exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months. These additional health care services cost the managed care health system between $331 and $475 per never-breastfed infant during the first year of life. The cost of the can of formula is just the beginning.
The data shows the effect of the lack of paid leave is not borne equally. A 2013 study examined subgroups of new mothers. Data showed mothers that were non-white, those with a high school degree or less, and those who were unmarried used less maternity leave on average than other groups (e.g., non-minority, those with a college education or more, and those who are married). The conclusion we can draw from the data is the mothers among us with the least financial security are the least likely to have sufficient time to establish breastfeeding.
Paid parental leave protects a mother’s health, too. Taking 12 weeks off is associated with a 5-10% decrease in post-partum depression. The same study shows mothers able to take more than 12 weeks of leave say they have more energy and less anxiety and depression. Overall, the data shows our mental and physical health is better when we take the time we need to care for ourselves after giving birth.
What can we do to protect the health of new babies and new mothers? As a group, our demographic can be a powerful one. We all need time to bond, breastfeed and heal from birth, not just those that can afford it.
Tell the Secretary of Labor Tom Perez to keep pushing for paid leave and highlighting companies that are already providing it with #leadonleave.
If you are pregnant and working, take the leave you are entitled to and encourage others to do the same.
If your company doesn’t offer paid leave, this study shows the positive effects of doing so. Bring it to their attention.
Workplace lactation programs help support working mothers before and after birth. We need to encourage all work placed to offer them.
Repost this article and others that raise the issue of paid parental leave.
A few companies took some big steps toward paid parental leave in 2015, we should applaud them. However, a national mandate is the only path to greater health equality for every mother and baby.
Fairhaven Health offers a line of natural, doctor-designed products to promote fertility, pregnancy, and nursing health. They have an innovative line of breastfeeding essentials to help moms reach their breastfeeding goals. Products include breast milk collection and storage help moms returning to work as well as supplements, teas, nipple balm, nursing pads, and much more!
Image: John Spade
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The post How the US Continues to Fall Behind on Paid Parental Leave and What We Can Do appeared first on Mothering.