The National Health Service (SNS) issued a warning on Tuesday about the benefits of breastfeeding amidst a week where the topic has put the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security under scrutiny, attracting significant criticism.
The controversial comments were made to the Jornal de Notícias, where Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho revealed in an interview that she was aware of cases where “children appear to continue being breastfed so the worker can have a reduced schedule, which is two hours a day paid by the employer, until they attend primary school.”
The Notícias ao Minuto has already questioned the Ministry overseen by Maria Rosa Palma Ramalho to ascertain how many such cases are known to the authority, awaiting a response.
The statements by the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security regarding alleged abuses of the right to breastfeeding have sparked controversy. Women’s advocacy groups are denouncing the “misinformation” by the government official.
Beatriz Vasconcelos | 08:55 – 04/08/2025
Apart from the social media warning, the benefits are more detailed on the SNS website, which we summarize below:
Benefits for the child
- Provides all necessary nutrients for healthy development;
- Breast milk is safe, contains antibodies that help protect the child from childhood diseases such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, or otitis.
Breast milk also helps reduce the risk of:
- Sudden infant death syndrome;
- Severe infections requiring hospitalization;
- Urinary infections;
- Gastroesophageal reflux (stomach content returning to the esophagus) – as it increases gastric emptying.
The SNS further indicates that besides these immediate benefits, breastfeeding “seems to contribute to lower chances of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, overweight and obesity, dental malocclusion, cardiovascular disease, or inflammatory bowel disease in adolescence or adulthood.”
“Longer breastfeeding periods have also been consistently associated with an intelligence quotient higher by 2.6 points,” reads the website.
While the initial thought is on the advantages for the child, there are several benefits for the mother in the ability and willingness to breastfeed.
Benefits for the mother:
- It may facilitate post-partum weight loss;
- Reduces the risk of developing: breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, or metabolic syndrome.
The SNS also notes that “breastfeeding is associated with economic benefits for the family.”
Breastfeeding: Until when?
Among other doubts that may exist – all addressed in detail -, the page discusses the recommended breastfeeding period: “It is recommended to start breastfeeding within an hour after birth and maintain exclusive breastfeeding (without offering other food) until six months of age whenever possible.”
Regarding the end of breastfeeding, the World Health Organization indicates that “exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until six months of age. After starting the introduction of other foods, breastfeeding should continue until two years or more.”
Amid criticism from various associations and pediatricians of the minister, psychologist Filipa Maló Franco also commented on the situation. In statements to Notícias ao Minuto, she asserted that the measures now presented “clash with the rights of children and families,” pushing society towards “focusing on productivity and the economy instead of what is vital for child development.”
Active in opposing the government’s announced measures, Filipa Maló Franco deemed the interview concerning alleged abuse of breastfeeding leave as proof of “ignorance” about the issue, advocating for a singular goal: “Extending the reduced hours to all families with children up to three years,” regardless of whether mothers are breastfeeding or not.
Besides being a psychologist, Filipa Maló Franco is also a mother. Consequently, she views the new government proposals concerning parental rights with concern, particularly regarding breastfeeding leave, arguing that the focus is misplaced.
Andrea Pinto | 14:16 – 04/08/2025
