Emergency Preparedness & Breastfeeding

Quick Facts

  • Breastmilk remains the most optimal form of nutrition for infants under 1 year of age

  • Breastmilk requires no preparation & does not carry the risk of contamination with unsanitary water

    1. Clean drinking water may be unavailable

    2. Proper cleaning and sterilization of feeding utensils may not be accessible

    3. Infant formula is associated with an increased risk of infant disease and death during disasters due to unsanitary conditions for proper preparation and storage

  • Breastmilk decreases the risk of infection and disease

    1. Contains antibodies to protect breastfed children against deadly infections

    2. Risk of diarrhea is reduced due to much lower risk of contamination

    3. Does not require refrigeration 

  • Breastfeeding mothers need A LOT of support!

    1. Breastfeeding mothers need a safe space to nurse their children

    2. Safe spaces should provided counseling, water, food and security

  • Breastfeeding success in an emergency requires preparation from organizations through programs and policies

  • Mothers can continue to lactate or re-lactate during times of physical and emotional stress

    1. Even when malnourished, mom will make enough milk for her baby

 

What Can Health & Rescue Workers Do?

  • Volunteer offices or other spaces as safe places for mothers to go to breastfeed & seek assistance. 

  • Provide water and food to mothers. 

  • Provide access to lactation support providers

  • Create safe places for pregnant and breastfeeding women

  • Keep families together

  • IF infant formula is required, give ready-to-use infant formula in a disposable cup to decrease risk of contamination

 
AAP Lactation Support Guidance.png

What if my Power Goes Out & I Need to Pump?

  • Try a car adapter and/or battery pack for electric pump

  • Find/use a pump that can be converted to manual mode

  • Purchase a hand pump for these scenarios as a back-up

  • Learn how to hand express milk

  • More info from KellyMom

What About the Milk in My Freezer?

  • Do your best to prevent breastmilk from thawing completely. If ice crystals are present, it is still considered frozen. 

    • Use a generator

    • Ask a neighbor or nearby store to borrow some freezer space

    • Open freezer storing milk as little as possible 

      1. Should hold temperature for 48 hours if door is closed and freezer is full

    • Fill any empty spaces with jugs of frozen water

    • Keep breastmilk in the middle of the freezer

    • Pack a cooler full and cover it with blankets to held retain the cold temperature

    • Fine and utilize dry ice

    • If it’s winter, try using a snow-bank

Resources for Hand Expression:

  1. Do your best to prevent breastmilk from thawing completely. If ice crystals are present, it is still considered frozen. 

    1. Use a generator

    2. Ask a neighbor or nearby store to borrow some freezer space

    3. Open freezer storing milk as little as possible 

      1. Should hold temperature for 48 hours if door is closed and freezer is full

    4. Fill any empty spaces with jugs of frozen water

    5. Keep breastmilk in the middle of the freezer

    6. Pack a cooler full and cover it with blankets to held retain the cold temperature

    7. Fine and utilize dry ice

    8. If it’s winter, try using a snow-bank

Kids in Child Care Settings: 

  • Use a battery-operated bottle warm or find another alternative to thawing/warming milk

  • Develop and/or review an emergency feeding plan with the child care provider addressing what you are comfortable with should a disaster arise and breastmilk not be available

  • More info HERE

Resources Used Above Containing Additional Information

USBC Emergency Preparedness Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics Disaster Fact Sheet
Preparedness Checklist for Breastfeeding Mothers
Preparedness Checklist for Healthcare Workers
Breastfeeding During an Emergency FAQ