Is Trump’s $5,000 Baby Bonus Enough? What Other Countries Are Doing (and a Bold Solution America Needs)

Like many of you, I’ve been hearing all the buzz about President Trump’s proposed $5,000 baby bonus—an incentive to encourage women to have more children.

It’s an okay start… but if we’re being honest, it’s not nearly enough to create the kind of baby boom America is hoping for.
Especially when you look at the support other countries are offering new mamas. It’s like comparing a drop of water to an ocean.

Here’s a quick look at 10 countries that are truly supporting parents with government-funded maternity leave, childcare, and postnatal care—and why the U.S. needs to dream a little bigger.

10 Countries That Offer Real Support for New Mothers

1. Sweden

   • Leave: 480 days per child (shared between parents), with 390 days paid at 80% of salary.

   • Extra Support: Subsidized childcare, free maternal healthcare, parenting classes.

2. Norway

   • Leave: 49 weeks at 100% pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay.

   • Extra Support: Free healthcare for moms and babies, subsidized childcare, home visits after birth.

3. Finland

   • Leave: Over 40 weeks of paid parental leave.

   • Extra Support: Famous “baby box” starter kits, home nurse visits, free maternal care.

4. Denmark

   • Leave: 52 weeks total leave, including 18 weeks reserved for moms.

   • Extra Support: Universal healthcare, free childbirth education classes, subsidized daycare.

5. Germany

   • Leave: 14 weeks paid maternity leave plus Elterngeld (parental allowance for up to 14 months).

   • Extra Support: Free postnatal care, heavily subsidized daycare, generous family benefits.

6. France

   • Leave: 16 weeks paid maternity leave (longer for twins or third child).

   • Extra Support: Government-paid midwife visits, affordable daycare options, free healthcare for mothers and babies.

7. United Kingdom

   • Leave: Up to 52 weeks maternity leave (39 weeks paid at varying rates).

   • Extra Support: Free maternity healthcare, paid prenatal appointments, postnatal home visits from health visitors.

8. Canada

   • Leave: Up to 18 months parental leave (12 months paid at 55% of salary).

   • Extra Support: Universal healthcare, childcare subsidies, generous child benefit payments.

9. Estonia

   • Leave: 20 weeks fully paid maternity leave + up to 18 months of parental leave at a high replacement rate.

   • Extra Support: Extended paid leave, free healthcare for moms and newborns, government baby kits.

10. Czech Republic

    • Leave: 28 weeks maternity leave paid at 70% of salary.

    • Extra Support: Subsidized childcare, baby bonuses, state-funded healthcare during and after pregnancy.

Final Thoughts: Why $5,000 Isn’t Enough (And What Could Be)

$5,000 sounds nice on paper. But when you consider the cost of hospital bills, childcare, unpaid leave, and student loans? That $5,000 barely scratches the surface.

Here’s a thought—and I’d love to hear your opinions:

What if the U.S. truly incentivized childbirth by offering student loan forgiveness for mothers?

Imagine if, for every child you had, a portion—or even the entirety—of your student debt was wiped away.
Couples would need to be married (supporting family stability) and could benefit from a massive financial reset while building their family.

Personally, that would be way more motivating to me than a one-time $5,000 bonus. With the crushing weight of student loan debt still looming over millions of Americans, offering real financial freedom would make a huge difference in decisions about starting or expanding a family.

Now I Want to Hear From You!

If the government offered student loan forgiveness for each child you had, would it be enough to make you consider having another baby?
Or is there something else you feel America needs to get right first?

Drop a comment below! Let’s talk about real solutions—not just temporary band-aids.