Unicef backs more paid parental leave

One simple breastfeeding practice could save hundreds of thousands of childrens’ lives worldwide and save the global economy billions of dollars, Unicef says.

Here it is: breastfeeding should be initiated within one hour of birth, continued exclusively for six months and continued with complementary foods to two years of age or beyond.

It is a straightforward plan. But according to new research from the United Nations Childrens Fund, the whole world – including New Zealand – does badly at sticking to its recommendations for breastfeeding.

New Zealand currently offers 18 weeks of paid parental leave which means mums often head back to work after four months and babies don’t get the recommended six months of exclusive breast feeding.

August 1 is World Breastfeeding Week, and Unicef is using its timing ahead of the September election to refresh its call for all NZ political parties to commit to six months of paid parental leave.

Unicef New Zealand Child Rights and Youth Participation Manager Jacqui Southey said an extra eight weeks wasn’t a huge leap for policy but would make an massive difference for mothers and children.

A ‘‘scorecard’’ from Unicef ranking countries including developing nations on their commitment to breastfeeding puts NZ about half way up.

In 2016, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse said he understood an extension of leave to 26 weeks would cost New Zealand an extra $150 million to $200m. But Unicef says properly breastfed kids put less strain on the economy in the long-term, saying that every US$1 ($NZ1.34) spent on breastfeeding support has a $35 return for the economy.