Editor’s note: This essay is part of Mississippi Today Ideas, a new platform for thoughtful Mississippians to share fact-based ideas about our state’s past, present and future. You can read more about the section here.
Mississippi leaders say they are taking steps to protect the lives of our babies. One way they can do that is by ensuring they get a healthy, strong start.
About 100 babies are born in Mississippi each day — about one per county. Each of these new lives is full of potential and as a state we have a responsibility to support them during this crucial stage. From the very beginning, early relationships with parents and caregivers shape brain connections that lay the foundation for lifelong learning and relationships.
Given the importance of this window of time, it is exciting that the Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill that is pending the signature of Gov. Tate Reeves to provide six weeks of paid leave to state employees who are primary caregivers of newborns or adopted children. While research shows that at least eight weeks of paid leave for new or adoptive parents can strengthen babies’ brain development, reduce infant mortality, and improve overall child health outcomes, six weeks will still be beneficial. Additionally, any amount of leave can ease the burden on the child care system while also enhancing employee retention and productivity. By allowing families to spend time with their newborns during this pivotal time, Mississippi can create lasting benefits for both children and the workforce.
I was fortunate to have eight weeks of paid leave with my children, followed by an additional month at half pay. This time together was invaluable for my children’s development, school readiness and overall health. Today, they are thriving– emotionally stable, socially engaged and eager learners in first and fifth grade.
However, not all children receive this time with and support from a parent or caregiver. In Mississippi, only 20% of workers have access to paid leave, and many mothers return to work just two weeks after giving birth.
This early separation can take a serious toll since the first eight weeks of life are a crucial period for brain growth and bonding. By two weeks, babies recognize their parents’ voices; by five weeks, they respond to faces with excitement; and by eight weeks, they find comfort in familiar caregivers. These early interactions lay the foundation for lifelong emotional and cognitive development, making paid leave not just a benefit, but a necessity for families and the future of our children.
Paid leave is more than just a brain-boosting tool—it’s a proven way to save infant lives. In 2024, Mississippi ranked last nationally in infant mortality, highlighting an urgent need for solutions. Research shows that 10 weeks of paid maternity leave is linked to about a 10% reduction in neonatal, infant and under-5 mortality.
Paid leave gives parents the time to attend critical medical appointments, receive guidance from doctors on how to care for and protect their babies, ensure proper vaccinations, and respond to health concerns before they become life-threatening. By providing paid leave, Mississippi can take a crucial step toward improving infant survival rates.
I believe that any amount of paid leave is valuable for children, but at least eight weeks of leave ensures that our babies remain safe and healthy when parents return to work. The CDC recommends that infants get most of their necessary vaccines at eight weeks–not before – and without these vaccinations they are not able to attend child care programs since they are susceptible to dangerous diseases. Without any paid leave, however, many parents must choose between caring for and protecting their newborn’s health and avoiding financial hardship—a choice no parent should have to make.
Paid leave can also assist with Mississippi’s critical child care shortage. Many mothers struggle to find available infant care, forcing them to reduce work hours or leave their jobs entirely. According to Mississippi State University’s Systems Change Lab, in 2023 there were only enough child care slots for about two-thirds of Mississippi children. Infant care, the most limited and expensive form of care, is particularly scarce.
Paid leave alleviates pressure on the child care system by reducing immediate demand for infant slots and allowing families time to secure the best arrangements for their needs.
My own experience with paid leave allowed me to care for my newborns, ensure they received necessary vaccinations, and transition them into child care so I could return to work. Without this opportunity, I might have had to leave a job I loved, costing my employer money to recruit and train my replacement. Instead, I was able to return and contribute to my team. By offering paid leave to state employees, the state can retain new parents and save these same costs.
By offering paid leave, we can protect our state’s babies while also saving money and boosting efficiency by retaining state employees. More importantly, we can allow families to care for their newborns in ways that lay a strong foundation for their future– building their brains, supporting their health, and encouraging wellbeing—without jeopardizing their livelihoods.
Now is the time for the state to make this commitment for the sake of Mississippi and our babies.
Biz Harris is the executive director of the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance. She is also an alumna of Teach for America’s Mississippi Delta Region where she began her career in education as a teacher in Marks.
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