My brother had paternity leave and he took off the first two weeks after each child was born. I think the first two weeks are the toughest for getting adjusted to having a baby, etc. That’s when you’ll be the most uncomfortable and not want to do alot of anything. Will you have any extra help? Friends/family? Because you should take that into consideration to when determining how much paternity leave your husband will need. My husband didn’t get paternity leave, but he did end up takng off the first two weeks to help me and then my mom and his mom alternated helping me after that. I think that if you don’t have any help, you might consider about a month, but if you do have help it could definitely be less time. I think most new moms are able to handle it after a month on their own. But again, each situation is unique. Is his work flexible, meaning, they would be ok if he budgeted a month, but then decided he needed more or less time?