Currently we have 6 weeks Maternity leave through Disability through the government if a woman has paid into it. In Japan they have learned by increasing maternity leave, PPD and postpartum anxiety decreased over 25%.
If this new administration wants to protect families and support women, it starts here.
Women need time postpartum to bond with their babies. When women invest in rest in their first month’s postpartum it has an immeasurably profound outcome for the mental and physical health of both Mother and baby.
More paternity leave would also be necessary for whomever the support person is for the woman giving birth. If there is no support system, there should be a path to a community postpartum doula to help the new mother invest in rest, nutrition and bonding with her baby.
Imagine a generation of people who had their parents present for them in their first month’s postpartum. This would have a tremendous impact on our society.
Let’s take care of our new mothers and watch how they take care of the world!