The impact of early maternal employment on infant wellbeing and attachment

This article presents the findings of a non-exhaustive
critical literature review, which investigates the effects of
early maternal employment (EME) on infant attachment
and wellbeing. EME is defined as maternal employment
commencing in the first year of the infant’s life (Brooks-Gunn
et al, 2010). As the number of mothers who return to work after
having children has increased drastically over the past 30 years
(O’Reilly, 2012), there is very little evidence and no current
UK policy or guidance in relation to EME to support women
in making the often difficult decision to return to work after giving birth.