Parents with their infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are forced to choose between taking their parental leave (if they have any) while their infant is in the NICU or once they are discharged home. This choice increases the already elevated risk for postpartum mental health disorders and gets in the way of forming a strong family foundation. NICU families deserve a separate, dedicated paid parental leave for the the time they spend advocating for and caring after their families during such a difficult, fragile time.