Maternity leave is the period when a pregnant woman temporarily stops working before giving birth. According to Hukum Online, maternity leave in Indonesia is regulated under Article 82, paragraph 1 of the Labor Law. This law states that every female worker is entitled to a total of three months of leave, which can be taken and extended based on her needs and agreement with her employer.
Maternity leave is a right because it offers significant benefits for both the mother and the baby.
Benefits of maternity leave
Research shows that maternity leave provides many benefits for both the mother and the baby, including:
Lower infant mortality rate
Maternity leave has important benefits, especially in reducing infant mortality rates. Newborns are at high risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIADS), where the cause of death is unknown.
However, the presence of the mother during this newborn period helps reduce this risk. The mother can provide better supervision and care, ensuring the baby remains healthy.
Extended breastfeeding duration
For at least their first month of life, newborns must be breastfed eight to twelve times a day. They might then breastfeed six to seven times a day.
Improved breastfeeding techniques, particularly in the first few hours after delivery. Moms can increase their milk production to meet their baby's needs and learn and master proper breastfeeding techniques during their maternity leave.
Better mother-baby bonding
Maternity leave provides valuable time for mothers and babies to form a strong emotional bond. This bonding process, often referred to as bonding, is crucial for the baby's emotional and social development as well as brain development.
Enhanced postpartum mental health
Childbirth is a challenging moment that brings significant changes to a woman's life. Maternity leave provides a valuable opportunity for mothers to adapt to their new roles and support their mental and emotional health.
After childbirth, a mother's body also needs time to fully recover. Emotional support from a partner, family, and friends will help the mother feel she is not alone in her new role as a parent.
Mothers can also reduce stress and the workload from outside employment, allowing them to focus more on caring for the baby and the family's needs.
Becoming a new parent is not always easy for everyone. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for more information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the health of women and children? Click here!
- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
NHS UK (2021). Maternity and paternity benefits and leave. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/finding-out/maternity-and-paternity-benefits-and-leave/
American Pregnancy Association. Maternity Leave. Available from: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/planning/maternity-leave/
Haley Longman (2022). Maternity leave: Here's what you need to know. Available from: https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-life/maternity-leave-the-basics_449
Claudia Bhara Pradita, S.H., and M.I. Kom (2023). Aturan Cuti Melahirkan bagi Pekerja dengan Persalinan Prematur. Available from: https://www.hukumonline.com/klinik/a/aturan-cuti-melahirkan-bagi-pekerja-dengan-persalinan-prematur-cl4158/
CDC (2022). Infant Mortality. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm
Boston Children's Hospital's. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Available from: https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids
Kids Health (2019). Breastfeeding FAQs: How Much and How Often. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breastfeed-often.html
