The early days of a newborn’s life are crucial, setting the foundation for their health and wellbeing. That’s why Te Kāhui Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa | The Paediatric Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) welcomes the intent of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill, which proposes to guarantee mothers the option of a minimum 72-hour inpatient stay after birth.
Read our full submission here.
More time, better support
For many new mothers, access to extended postnatal care can make a significant difference. A 72-hour stay has the potential to:
✔️ Improve breastfeeding support and reduce neonatal readmissions
✔️ Increase maternal confidence and emotional wellbeing
✔️ Ensure families receive essential education and transition support
However, while the bill presents an opportunity to strengthen postnatal care, its success depends on proper investment in staffing, infrastructure, and neonatal services. Without this, the policy risks placing further strain on an already stretched maternity system.
Key challenges we’ve raised in our submission
📌 Resourcing concerns – Expanding inpatient stays without additional funding could lead to bed shortages and impact neonatal transitional care (TC) spaces.
📌 Workforce constraints – Many maternity units already face midwifery shortages, and an extended stay would require increased lactation consultant and social work support.
📌 Flexibility is needed – A blanket 72-hour stay may not be suitable for all families. A needs-based approach would ensure those who require extended support receive it while avoiding unnecessary hospitalisation.
What we’re advocating for
To ensure this policy delivers real benefits, PSNZ recommends:
🔹 New investment in staffing and infrastructure – Postnatal care must be properly resourced rather than relying on reallocations from existing services.
🔹 Expanded lactation support – Access to trained lactation consultants should be a key priority.
🔹 Protection of neonatal care spaces – Increased postnatal bed occupancy should not come at the expense of vulnerable newborns needing specialist care.
🔹 Strengthening primary birthing units – Ensuring they have the midwifery and social work support necessary to care for mothers and babies beyond hospital settings.
🔹 A flexible, needs-based approach – Postnatal care should be tailored to individual circumstances rather than enforcing a rigid 72-hour requirement.
At PSNZ, we support initiatives that enhance maternal and newborn health, but they must be implemented with the right resources and careful planning to ensure the best outcomes for whānau in Aotearoa.
We encourage decision-makers to take a holistic, well-funded approach to postnatal care that strengthens the entire maternity system rather than introducing pressure points that could impact both mothers and babies.