August is National Breastfeeding Month, and the Green Party candidate for the 12th congressional district is calling for paid maternity leave in the U.S.
Paula Bradshaw says the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that doesn't provide for at least some paid time off for new mothers. She would like to see women get up to a year of paid maternity leave. Bradshaw says breastfeeding helps the baby's nutrition, brain development and protects it from diseases. She says it also helps the mother.
The Illinois Green Party is calling for maternity leave of at least six months at full pay.
Bradshaw says sometimes it takes time to form a bond between mother and child, longer than the 6-week maternity leave that most women receive now.
Bradshaw says this would be a piece of legislation she'd like to introduce if she's elected to Congress in November.
Bradshaw is running against Republican Mike Bost and Democratic incumbent Bill Enyart.
