Archive · 28 Sep 2025
Paid Leave Crucial for Breastfeeding Success, Says Opinion
Breastfeeding is good for babies and moms.
Experts say moms should breastfeed exclusively for six months.
However, many moms have to go back to work, making it hard to breastfeed.
The US doesn't have a national law for paid leave, which means many moms don't get paid time off.
Studies show that paid leave helps moms breastfeed longer.
The article calls for policymakers and mothers to support policies like paid leave to help moms breastfeed.
The 'Make Our Children Healthy Again' (MAHA) strategy recommends increasing breastfeeding rates.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
Working mothers are less likely to breastfeed due to time and work constraints.
The US lacks a national paid maternity leave policy.
Paid family leave increases the duration and likelihood of breastfeeding.
- Who
- Mothers, policymakers, and the 'Make Our Children Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement.
- What
- The importance of paid family leave for supporting breastfeeding mothers.
- When
- This issue is ongoing and addressed in recent research and policies.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Paid leave can help mothers meet breastfeeding goals, promoting better child health.
Supporters of Paid Leave
Those Against/Unconcerned with Paid Leave
Paid Family Leave
Supporters of Paid Leave
Paid family leave supports breastfeeding goals.
Those Against/Unconcerned with Paid Leave
Those who are against paid leave may argue it is not a necessity, or is too costly to implement.
- Recommendation
- Increase breastfeeding rates via policies.
- AAP Recommendation
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
- US Paid Leave
- Only developed nation without national paid maternity leave.
- Employer Leave Access
- Less than 1 in 3 mothers have paid family leave from employers.
- PFL Impact
- Increases breastfeeding duration and likelihood of breastfeeding for six months.