Like so many families, Anna worked full time, but did not receive paid leave through her job. After giving birth to her son, Gareth, Anna exhausted her unpaid leave and was forced to return to work when he was just 6 weeks old.
As a newborn, Gareth, described by his parents as “sweet and bubbly,” also suffered from allergies, asthma, and other health complications. Without the benefit of paid leave to care for his medical needs, Anna ultimately resigned from her job—at great financial cost to her family. Paid family and medical leave provide families like Anna’s the financial resources they need to ensure their babies’ safe and healthy development.
Learn more about the State of Babies Yearbook.
