Should maternity leave be 135 days? By: Sujata Naik February 12, 2005 The Labour Commissions proposal to increase the maternity leave period from 90 days to 135 days is a welcome move. Im glad that it is being considered.

From the medical point of view, its crucial that a woman gets adequate rest at the final stages of pregnancy. If the maternity leave period is increased, she can take leave a little before her delivery. She also neednt travel or undergo job stress during that time.

With the increase in the number of Caesarean section operation nowadays, women need a longer period of time to recuperate.

Three months is not enough for her to get back to the best of health because pregnancy, delivery and lactation, taken together, take a toll on the mothers health.

The first months, post-delivery, are crucial for both the mother and the baby. As most of us advise the mother to breast-feed her baby for six months, a longer maternity leave is beneficial as she can lactate the child for a longer period of time.

If she has to resume duties within three months, the baby either has to be weaned or the mothers milk has to be extracted and bottled for the baby. This is not advisable as it can have adverse effects on the infants health and the child may be prone to illness.

The first six months of a babys life are important as that is the time when the child builds an emotional bond with its mother. They are able to lay the foundation for a healthy relationship.

If the mother had to go back to work just three months after the delivery, she would have to leave the baby under the care of a relative or with a baby-sitter, who can be a good substitute for a mother, but not the real thing.

Sujata Naik is a practicing homeopath based in Neelam Nagar, Mulund (E). Email this article Print this article Post / View comments