Nurse calls for extension of maternity leave

post partumExclusively breastfeeding children for six months after birth has been encouraged by health care workers and various international health organizations for a number of years.

In light of this and the recently celebrated International Women’s Day, Registered Nurse, Rosie Felix, is presenting a case to the Ministry of Health to increase postpartum maternity leave in Dominica from nine weeks to six months.

Felix, who is also Editor in Chief of health magazine Roses and Thorns, noted that this enactment of legislation will coincide with the recommended six months exclusive breastfeeding period.

“The meager nine weeks given does not only affect exclusive breastfeeding, it short changes the mother from fully caring, attaching and bonding with her baby as is most needed during this tender and short phase of her baby’s life,” she wrote in a letter to minister of health, Julius Timothy.

Felix argues that the Ministry of Health, through its Maternal and Child Health services, has ceaselessly educated, encouraged and supported women to exclusively breastfeed their babies in order to achieve the maximum benefits of this practice.

According to her, early return to work, the pressures of work, early prolonged separation from a baby as a result of work, caring for other children and family before going to work are some of the challenges that childbearing women frequently face.

“Fatigue from employment and home work, lack of acceptance of babies under three months by daycares, inability to afford private baby sitters and having to leave a full term baby, farless a premature baby, in someone else’s care are among the many factors and stressors which affect a woman’s psyche and interfere with her ability to effectively and exclusively breastfeed her infant directly from her breasts and by successfully expressing her breast milk to continue exclusive breast milk feeding,” she said.

Felix added in her letter that it is hoped that the call for an extended post partum leave can be used to recognize women for their dual labor of love to Dominica and the world.

“Women take their reproductive and employment roles seriously and should receive treatment and privileges appropriate and equal to those roles,” she stated. “This International Day of Women is a fitting time to say yes to ‘Equality for women is progress for all’ because extension of post partum maternity leave would not only be progress for women but progress of generations and nations.’”

Felix noted however, that although some mothers are not convinced that exclusive breastfeeding is best for their babies, mothers genuinely in favour of six months of exclusive breast feeding should not be denied a favourable response from the ministry of health.

“One must admit that mothers who are not convinced that exclusive breastfeeding is best for their babies and who have other reasons apart from those related to early return to work will probably never do so even if a year’s maternity leave is given,” she stated. “This however should not deter a response in favor of those who genuinely want to exclusively breastfeed considering the short term and long term health, social and economic benefits to be derived by babies, mothers, families, present and future society, present and future economies, and which are well known to the Ministry of Health.”

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84 Comments

  1. Neg
    March 16, 2014

    9 weeks is just not enough, it should at least be 4 months.

  2. Thinking deeper
    March 12, 2014

    You all are missing the point. Mothers should stay home not only to breastfeed but to develop a bond and improve educational ability in children.
    Other ministries should address this. This is an open call to our society on home building. A cure to this moral crisis in Dominica. Another is leading to greater job satisfaction which then translates to higher worker productivity on the job. 1 year is advisable.

  3. joy
    March 12, 2014

    Is this the same Dominica people are crying down? how could a company or government pay somebody 6months just to stay home and breast feed their baby and pay someone else to do their work? women being doing both for a long time ,working and having children but the choice to work or not to work is yours. not fair miss Felix,by the way I worked with three children.

  4. Posse
    March 12, 2014

    We are not living in Europe. Most people go home on their breaks in Dominica , we can invest in breast pump. Can we afford to give six months leave and pay a replacement? Get real!

  5. Rose
    March 11, 2014

    This nurse should first research “Best” practices used by other hospital related extended breast feeding. Of course A mother would be elated to stay home with her baby for norturing , but with the shortage of nurses, we need to be more practical. One good practice, setting a specific room so mothers could breast feed at a set schedule. This practice has shown great success.

  6. March 11, 2014

    Anonymous my son was simple allergic to lactose ….i hope you know what is lactose,,,

    • Posse
      March 12, 2014

      What are you trying to say? Simple or simply…..don’t answer that.

  7. Frank Talker
    March 11, 2014

    If a compulsory six months post partum leave is legislated, what happens where the baby voluntarily refuses to breast feed, as happens in many cases? Secondly, who pays for those six months leave? I believe that the proponents of this liberal leave regime should also make a suggestion that the baby HAS to perform some sort of national service.
    Let’s see what Hon. Timothy is going to do with this recommendation.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 11, 2014

      Few babies may not want to be breast-fed. In fact I never heard of it. The fact is, the mother has to take care of the baby. It is strenuous for her. She would not be simply taking this leave to breast-feed the baby but to take care of him/her and for nurturing and bonding, also giving her a break from rushing to and from work.
      The baby will have enough time to perform some sort of national service. :lol: First things first until the baby grows up to adulthood. Now is the baby’s time to be with his/her mother and to be pampered.
      When some babies are taken to babysitters or nurseries they cry when their mothers leave them. Even though the babies do not cry, the mother feels bad she has to leave the baby for the day. It is difficult for her.
      I recommend post partum leave. The government should implement an employment benefit insurance (also called unemployment insurance) whereby both employer and employee contribute, subsidized by the government for those who are unemployed through no fault of their own and also for women who take maternity leave prior to the birth of the baby and thereafter. It could amount to either six months or a year.
      Some women work until they are ready to conceive. Others do not. Nevertheless, the leave before the baby’s birth and after should amount to the amount of approved leave.

  8. Woman
    March 11, 2014

    I don’t agree with Ms. Felix. I went back to work 2 months after having my baby. I pumped milk for him everyday in the breakroom at work and placed it in the freezer. He was exclusively breastfed for 6 months by means of me pumping. I don’t think I needed to stay home for 6 months just to breast feed. Mothers can invest in a breast pump.

    • AWWW
      March 11, 2014

      what about the bonding aspect of nursing?

    • Simply the Truth
      March 11, 2014

      Every woman is not the same. It must have been hard for you because Dominica does not have this type of leave. If it was established then would you not have taken advantage of it as others do? It is time to implement it.

  9. Observer
    March 11, 2014

    I think maternity leave should be extended to 1 year.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 11, 2014

      I agree. How that time flies!

  10. March 11, 2014

    This is a good idea ;but the gov’t must decide to pay every one who is out of work for that period…none the less we must put in mind that their are more women now who refuses breast feeding…women now a days do not have the same mother instinct like our mothers or our grand parents ,I am now 50 years old ,my mother is almost 100.my son had breast milk till 7 years and my breast are still firm.He never fell sick.Women now think of their beauty and not the welfare of their children,,,if the gov’t refuses to pay ,most women must provide for their own kids ,not easy ,hope there will be a good end to this because the early days of a child is the most important part of their lives.

    • March 11, 2014

      7 ye of breastfeeding a baby .Really? Why did u even stop?? The baby boy should demand it till his 18. Lol.

      • Simply the Truth
        March 12, 2014

        I heard on TV that some women breast-feed their children even older. I hope they do not breast-feed them as babies. Yet, I believe some US and/or Canadian women do that. I would think after some months they would wean the children. If they wish to give them their milk, they should do so in a conventional manner.
        I do endorse that mothers’ milk is the best for babies/young children. Some mothers who cannot produce their own milk purchase it.
        How many of us were breast-fed and hardly ever got sick as babies, children to adulthood. Today some of them who are adults do not have health problems and do not take medication. This should tell us about the importance of breast-feeding from the mother’s milk.

  11. servant of God
    March 11, 2014

    I fully support that request by Nurse Felix.
    We may not see the benefit now, but there are benefits. There are not only benefits to the family as a unit but to government the economic development of the country. A fully breast fed child will be more healthy, so there will be a reduction in the national medical expense, either by the parents loosing less working days to care for a sick child as well as the government spending less on the medical expenses towards children since child health care is largely subsidized by the government.

  12. Anonymous
    March 11, 2014

    6 months is fine. Canada is the country with the most in the world. 1 year

    • Simply the Truth
      March 12, 2014

      Hats off to Canada! :lol: It took a lot of lobbying to obtain it.
      Another matter, if they did not get that amount of time off, some of them would have to take their children to the nursery. Those who can afford it will be able to pay for it. Others who can’t would bring their children to a subsidized government-operated (non-profit) nursery. Consider that it would cost the government some dollars.
      There are those who also charge a good amount weekly to take care of the babies in their home which some parents can hardly afford. Therefore, better to give the mothers this year’s leave for at least a while.

    • Anonymous
      March 13, 2014

      Thats a lie in Cuba its 1year until a day care is available

  13. one
    March 11, 2014

    i.agree

  14. power
    March 11, 2014

    i agree that it should be 6 month ..just for a sound state of mind body and soul when we get back to the work place.we women take enough it is time we start standing up for our right and DEMAND.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 12, 2014

      What if the babies are sick in the first few months? The mother would feel bad having to leave the baby and go to work or to take time off.
      The mothers would have to take time off to bring them to the doctor. The mothers need this time off whether the children are healthy or not. Also under normal circumstances the mothers must take the babies to the doctor for a check-up. They do not merely have the babies and not take them to the doctor. The mothers need a certain amount of leave. In this way her employer will not be angry with her for taking time off and her work will not suffer.
      MInister of Health, consider these comments and approve at least six months maternity leave.

  15. Shan V-Francis
    March 11, 2014

    I fully support Nurse Felix’s suggestion and I would really hope that the Ministry seriously considers changing the maternity leave!

  16. hmmmm
    March 11, 2014

    It is a good suggestion. The Honorable Minister should look at other countries who give extended maternity leave like Canada and see how they make it work. Maybe we could try some version of it. It might not be 6 months but more than 9 weeks.

    I wanted to breastfeed my baby exclusively but had to give up and give her formula because after a while it was difficult to express milk. I had to go in the bathroom at work at try to express so she could have next day. This is not the natural way so the milk stopped coming.

    Not to mention I had to beg the daycare to take her because she was not 3 months old. And i was so distracted during the day worrying about her.

    I think more time is needed. 9 weeks is not enough.

    • Mom of 3 month old
      March 11, 2014

      I too know too well how difficult it is to leave your baby before he or she becomes 3 months old. I express at work during the day but skipping away to the bathroom in the middle of the day for 20 minutes is not always easy. I hope Mrs. Felix starts a petition for her cause to more concretely demonstrate to the powers-that-be the need for an increase to atleast 12 weeks when most babies are of age to be accepted to the daycare/nursery system.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 12, 2014

      Anxiety and stress contributed to it.

  17. Anonymous
    March 11, 2014

    While I support the extension of maternity leave, I do believe that the 6 months request is unrealistic. The jump from 9 weeks to six months is not practical. Would Rosie pay a staff for 6 months (at their home)while at the same time has to hire another staff to do the work and pay them?

    I think a fair increase would be from 9 weeks to 12 weeks. The worker can also use their annual
    vacation, and leave without pay if they so desire.

  18. WHO VEX VEX
    March 11, 2014

    i agree 9 weeks is not enough but 6 months?, from 9 weeks to 24 weeks.
    well if is 6 months it should be 3 months with pay and 3 without

  19. me
    March 11, 2014

    at least 3 (three) months. Six months sounds like too much taking into consideration that the employer must pay the mother while on leave and her replacement.

  20. Tri-State Beauty
    March 11, 2014

    “postpartum maternity leave in Dominica from nine weeks to six months.”… What is this for me with Rosie right now? 6 months out of work just to breast feed a baby? women tell Rosie they need 6 months off? who will pay them? Where in the world is this happening? Completely insane idea. Rosie if you have nothing empowering to say to women on International Women’ day, hit the mute button and listen to other voices. I am a woman and that is just a flat argument for attention. I thought people were having children out of their desire to pro-create I never knew they were doing it as a favour to any country/island and should be rewarded for breeding! Things you learn

    • Simply the Truth
      March 12, 2014

      Learn that there are some countries that give mothers and fathers such leave. They take turns. Men are also entitled to the same amount of time. It is called paternity leave. It is good for the babies at such a crucial time of their early life.

  21. Hmmmmmm
    March 11, 2014

    For years these same organisations have been talking about fathers getting more involved. I do not hear about paternal leave for the fathers. Why not 9 weeks each. I bet you wont support that. So is it really for teh betterment of the child or for women?

    • Simply the Truth
      March 12, 2014

      The government must consider it and later implement it that the fathers also get paternity leave. It eases the stress on both parents.

  22. Anonymous
    March 11, 2014

    Do you realize that the practical side of this move is that women of child-bearing age will find a hard time getting jobs?

  23. open mind
    March 11, 2014

    that can be arranged.

  24. DCW
    March 10, 2014

    Social Security!!! That’s what they are there for, and that’s what we pay our little monies every month for. If the employer doesn’t pay their percentage pass the 9 weeks, atleast Social Security will pay the rest of the 6 months. Not sure about the percentage for maternity leave.

  25. Rose
    March 10, 2014

    This is absolutely unnecessary for this time of extended leave with a nursing shorttage. Before this nurse post this request, first research other “BEST” practices elsewhere. The best solution would be set up a room specifically for breast feeding moms wherein they can pump at their leisure. I actually work in a hospital where this was incorporated with great success.

  26. Marigotian
    March 10, 2014

    While u at it just take the whole year off. 6 months really!!!!

  27. love I
    March 10, 2014

    I shake your hand, I agree wirh you totally, after nine months and labor, Mother and Child needs this…Good work Rosie…

  28. Simply the Truth
    March 10, 2014

    I wholeheartedly endorse this six months’ leave. It is not much. Nevertheless, the government should approve it with no hesitation.
    Women know how difficult it is for them to bear the babies, nurse them, take care of them, of other children if any, still be expected to take care of household chores and employed at the same time. They do need this time off from work.
    In bygone years many of our mothers did not work. However, today times are different. The majority of mothers are employed. In view of tis, they are entitled to sufficient post partum leave also for their health and well-being.
    I do hope the government considers this leave and implements it as soon as possible.

  29. SHELLOCH HOLMES
    March 10, 2014

    It is all good and well if the state can afford it.whilst on maternity leave the employer has to get a cover to do the job.Fathers take your responsibilities or the taxpayers get it

  30. Time
    March 10, 2014

    Your recommendation is a little unrealistic Nurse.

    After careful consideration why not 12 weeks. Additionally, recommend employers agree to have mothers to come in at least 30 – 45 minutes late in order to breast feed or leave work 30 – 45 minutes early.

    This would have been considered by the minister not what you recommeded. :wink:

  31. blessed
    March 10, 2014

    I totally agree to that a hundred percent nurse.The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and mothers staying home with their babies really needs to be stressed. IF we want a healthy, prosperous nation, our mothers must learn how to nurture their young ones and be given the time to do so.u never seeing a dog or animal leaving their young ones at the back for another animal to take care of, but instead they are the ones taking care of the lil one until they grow. u only know how it feels wen u are in the situation

  32. itassi4us
    March 10, 2014

    brilliant and wonderfully said. I support that move 120%. 3 wks before, 9 wks after… little time. atleast 3 months…atleast.

  33. Really
    March 10, 2014

    chhhh…………If that happen I having a baby every year wi!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  34. li
    March 10, 2014

    I’am wondering if an employer will pay an employee six months maternity leave if they don’t have secured sick and vacation leave. They can stay home a year if they want with their child but with medical leave of absent.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 10, 2014

      This is why a government unemployment insurance is necessary, called under a different name for extension of maternity leave that employers do not have to bear this cost or the full cost.

    • Bogoroy
      March 11, 2014

      I like the content of your post. Both ideas seem fair to me.

  35. aye
    March 10, 2014

    Dno please filter the news… This is utter rubbish coming from the so called registered nurse who is eager to get recognition.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 10, 2014

      Who are you? You are wrong. She makes sense. Where are your brains and common sense? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    • Osanna Mowanga
      March 10, 2014

      Is this nurse thinking right?Dominica is already way behind, she is asking for 6 months leave. If she had her business would she give her employees 6 months off at a time. Already Dominica’s productivity is so low. Think this over my dear.
      Skerrit may grant it just to catch votes.
      The country dead already anyway.

    • Bee
      March 10, 2014

      Hmmm i pity you. you sound like a disgruntled nurse.

    • side eyes
      March 10, 2014

      If you call this rubbish, i will believe that you are Rubbish and Retarded…

    • MasterMind
      March 11, 2014

      It’s better to be though of ad a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Your comment should be filtered.

    • Black Beauty
      March 11, 2014

      Don’t know why people are giving you thumbs down, but I felt the same way after reading the article. She is beginning to become a nuisance everyday is something more erratic she comes up with.

      • Mother
        March 11, 2014

        You people sound so foolish. What is 9 weeks with your baby? pure rubbish, you people should be ashamed. In England mothers are given a year maternity leave.

      • dave
        March 11, 2014

        what were the other erratic things?

    • Mother
      March 11, 2014

      Are you serious? It would hurt to know that you got kids.

  36. rescue 911
    March 10, 2014

    Six months with or without pay.

  37. God works miracles
    March 10, 2014

    Amen its been a while now I am wondering what will take place with this? Not enough time with babies and stress milk from work and home together is not healthy. Let me hear the verdict from ministers on this one

  38. So True
    March 10, 2014

    I strongly agree becaus those of us who want to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months have to either use up whatever little vacation leave we have which could be used to spend time with our children as they grow and with family by extention, or we have to take leave without pay from our jobs which could result in financial and other economic problems for us and our families.

    • Reader
      March 11, 2014

      Family planning is more than birth control. It is also about figuring out when is the best time to have your kids … based on factors such as finance and career. If you are planning on having a child, then factor in your vacation, sick and maternity leave periods. Most businesses can hardly pay monthly salaries or give a decent increase (if at all) and you really think that we are at a point where we can pay you six month maternity, plus vacation, etc and still pay your replacement??? Use your vacation time during this critical period as opposed to something more trival. I’m all for job protection while out but six months is a bit extreme.

  39. Anonymous
    March 10, 2014

    I totally agree that maternity leave could be extended to six months for women who would like to breastfeed their babies. This means we must look at the benefit package – some of that time must be vacation, sick or other leave that women have accrued, and then the balance needs to be a combination of some type of insurance or family benefit. We also need to take into account whether this will be paid or unpaid leave.
    As a female heading my household I may not be able to afford unpaid leave; however, as an employer, I may not be able to offer women 6 months paid leave while having to fill the position temporarily. Although this may be seen as the cost of doing business, some of that cost may end up being passed down to the customers.

    Let’s hope that we don’t end up having to limit the number of times a woman can take maternity leave – we may end up with a one child policy like some countries. Those not in favor of “Mama Wadene Baby Machine” may decide to limit our rights to childbearing for fear of us being out for six months every year.

    • MasterMind
      March 11, 2014

      Fair enough comment.

  40. aa
    March 10, 2014

    Thanks nurse. I stand with you.

  41. ZOR
    March 10, 2014

    I totally support this notion. And I’m not even a mother. It’s just logical

  42. bias dca
    March 10, 2014

    So nurse..who is paying them f six months…..y can t expect the the employer….i do believe in the family leave act for at least 90 days…but don t expect the employer to pay y if y don t have accrued vacation….in a staggering economy while ours employers can not afford that

  43. Anonymous
    March 10, 2014

    I breast fed my last son for two years 2mths and 3days

    • huh???
      March 10, 2014

      you had nothing to do??????? waw

      • Mother
        March 11, 2014

        Stupid

    • Mom of 3 month old
      March 11, 2014

      Mine was 1 yr 4 months.

    • magwasa
      March 11, 2014

      i breast fed my son for 2 years 8 mnths

  44. what
    March 10, 2014

    From your pen to God’s ears!!!, I FULLY SUPPORT THIS MOVE!!!

  45. Anonymous
    March 10, 2014

    well said nurse

  46. teacher
    March 10, 2014

    exclusive breastfeeding is still possible with early return to work. but its very stressful. i did it by God’s grace but i was very and still is ineffective in my duties at work. mothers do deserve more time with there babies especial premature babies. in favor of the 6 months.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 10, 2014

      In Canada, mothers can take one year’s leave if they so wish. The unemployment insurance will subsidize their income.
      This did not come easy. Certain groups had to fight for it to get the government to approve it.

  47. Bogoroy
    March 10, 2014

    “According to her, early return to work, the pressures of work, early prolonged separation from a baby as a result of work, caring for other children and family before going to work are some of the challenges that childbearing women frequently face.”

    The nurse must first successfully show that these factors have indeed had deleterious effects on families, the woman, or the child. After all, we have come from an age where there was minimal maternity leave yet families and children still prospered.

    I would probably support legislating paternity leave because studies exist that confirm its need. A jump from 9 weeks to 6 months seems rather unfounded and probably exaggerated.

    • Opinionated
      March 10, 2014

      Obviously, you’re a man (an not a bright one at that!!)

    • Simply the Truth
      March 10, 2014

      This includes both men and women in cases where the men are cooperative. The government could consider it but will the men?

    • Mom of 3 month old
      March 11, 2014

      Legislating paternity leave is a must! I can’t believe this hasn’t been done yet. The family is the central unit of society.

  48. OVERSEAS
    March 10, 2014

    I agree

  49. but her face
    March 10, 2014

    I CONCUR.

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