Obstetricians are refusing to back a total ban on drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
Draft national guidelines have recommended abstinence as the only safe choice when women are pregnant.
But the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists believes there is no evidence to suggest a small amount is harmful.
Meanwhile there are increasing calls for paid maternity leave for all Australian women with a popular children's author suggesting some care for children at a very young age is akin to child abuse.
Mem Fox says parents should have re-considered their desire to have children if it meant they had to put them in care at six weeks of age - or for excessive hours.
The Australian Nursing Federation says financial pressures are forcing many of their members back to work early and they should be financially supported.