The children's minister said last week that the Government should consider extending paid maternity leave from six months to a year.
Some of that time could be reserved as "daddy leave" to encourage fathers to spend more time with their new baby.
Her suggestions were welcomed by Liz Kendall, director of The Maternity Alliance, which has campaigned for longer and better-paid maternity leave.
She said: "If this happens it will be a huge step forward for women and their families."
But she added: "We'd have to see how much is going to be paid. At the very least it should be paid at the same rate as statutory maternity leave, which is just over 100 a week, although that is still inadequate for most families."
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