When your baby needs extra medical care after birth, the last thing you want to worry about is work. That’s where Neonatal Care Leave comes in — a new employment right designed to give parents time to be with their baby during those critical early weeks.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What is Neonatal Care Leave?

Neonatal Care Leave is a new legal right for parents whose baby needs specialist care after birth. It allows you to take extra time off work while your baby receives neonatal care — care provided in a hospital or under the direction of a medical consultant.

This right applies if your baby is born on or after 6 April 2025 and needs medical care starting within the first 28 days of birth, lasting for at least 7 continuous days.

Who Can Take Neonatal Care Leave?

You’re eligible if you’re:

• The baby’s parent
• The intended parent (in cases of surrogacy)
• The partner of the baby’s mother (even if not biologically related), living together in a committed family relationship and expecting to help raise the child

What Counts as Neonatal Care?

To qualify for this leave, your baby must receive one of the following:

• Medical care in a hospital
• Care at home or in the community after discharge (under a consultant’s direction)
• Palliative or end-of-life care

How Much Leave Can You Take?

The length of leave you get depends on how long your baby is in neonatal care — up to a maximum of 12 weeks.

Here’s the good news: Neonatal Care Leave is in addition to other family-related leave such as:

• Maternity Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Shared Parental Leave

You can take your Neonatal Care Leave any time within 68 weeks from the baby’s birth (or placement in cases of adoption). Even if your baby sadly passes away after qualifying for this leave, you are still entitled to take it.

Is Neonatal Care Leave Paid?

Yes, it can be — if you meet the following criteria:

• You’ve been employed for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the due date
• You earn at least £123 per week on average over an 8-week period
• If eligible, you’ll receive £187.18 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).
• If you don’t qualify for pay, you can still take unpaid Neonatal Care Leave.

Final Thoughts: What Should You Do Next?

If your baby may need neonatal care, it’s a good idea to:

• Speak to your employer early about your situation
• Check your employment status and earnings to see if you qualify for paid leave
• Keep medical records or hospital notes — they can help support your leave request

At LawExpress, we’re here to help you understand your rights and navigate the legal landscape with confidence. For personalised advice, speak with one of our legal advisors we are just a call away.