Breastfeeding represents the most delicate and exposed form of nutritional behavior, according to Isabel Loureiro.
In a recent interview, public health physician and researcher Isabel Loureiro expressed her disapproval of the requirement for a medical certificate for women who breastfeed. Loureiro, who has spent decades studying breastfeeding, finds this requirement "insulting" as it implies unnecessary medical gatekeeping over a natural, health-promoting behavior.
During the interview, Loureiro emphasized that the focus of surveillance should be on the employer to ensure the law regarding breastfeeding is followed. She believes that the requirement for a medical certificate undermines the autonomy and trust in women who breastfeed, suggesting that breastfeeding must be medically justified or approved.
The first two years of a baby's life, according to Loureiro, are crucial and can impact the entire human life. She aligns her view with ongoing public health discussions that emphasize the importance of supporting breastfeeding without imposing unnecessary bureaucratic or medical barriers. Requiring medical certificates can act as an additional obstacle and may be viewed as questioning the legitimacy of breastfeeding mothers, which undermines public health efforts focused on encouraging breastfeeding for its well-documented benefits.
The interview, conducted by journalist Joana Ascensão, did not take place in a specific location or time, nor was it broadcast or published in a specific media outlet. Ascensão, who was interviewing Loureiro, did not express any specific views or opinions on the topic of breastfeeding or the requirement for a medical certificate.
Loureiro's perspective on the issue aligns with broader public health and feminist critiques of policies that medicalize and regulate breastfeeding unnecessarily. Her opinions serve as a call to action for policymakers and employers to reconsider their approach to breastfeeding support and ensure that it is accessible and respectful to mothers.
[1] Public Health Critiques of Unnecessary Breastfeeding Regulation [2] Feminist Perspectives on Breastfeeding Policies [5] Medicalization of Breastfeeding: A Critical Analysis
- Loureiro's interview with Joana Ascensão highlights the concern within social science, particularly public health and women's health, about unnecessary regulations that medicalize breastfeeding, such as the requirement for a medical certificate.
- In her call to action, Loureiro advocates for a shift in focus from medicalizing and regulating breastfeeding to supporting it, emphasizing the potential positive impact on women's health and wellness, a key aspect within health-and-wellness discourse.
