It benefits infant health and development

Recent findings indicate that extended maternity leave has benefits to child development. (“Do Longer Maternity Leaves Affect Maternal Health?”) states, “longer maternity leaves may benefit infant health and development – children whose mothers take longer leaves have been found to have lower mortality rates and higher test scores.” A thriving child is less likely to pose many challenges for the mother. Once there are no underlying mental health challenges, her satisfaction with life would increase and positively impact her productivity.