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Breastfeeding Saves Babies During Natural Disasters
Friday, February 8, 2008
We've all heard about the horrible deadly hurricane that ripped through southern states on Tuesday night. While reading the news this morning I came across an article giving victims safety advice about how to keep their food and water safe during the aftermath of the storm. Take a look at this feeding advice for mothers of infants.
For breastfeeding infants: Breastfed infants should continue breastfeeding.
For infant feeding infants: Use ready-to-feed formula if possible. If using ready-to-feed formula is not possible, it is best to use bottled water to prepare powdered or concentrated formula. If bottled water is not available, use boiled water. Use treated water to prepare formula only if you do not have bottled or boiled water. If you prepare formula with boiled water, let the formula cool sufficiently before giving it to an infant. Clean feeding bottles and nipples with bottled, boiled or treated water before each use. Wash your hands before preparing formula and before feeding an infant. You can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for washing your hands if the water supply is limited.
If this isn't a clear indication why breastfeeding is best I don't know what is.
Even during Hurricane Katrina mothers couldn't feed their babies. They didn't have formula, clean water, or even a way to boil water. We never know when a natural disaster will hit so it's always best to be prepared because babies' health can be maintained if they are breastfed. I know. Well all know this, but there are tons of mothers who don't think that far in advance. It's too late to get that revelation when the hurricane or tornado hits and the damage is already done.
Labels: breastfeeding news
posted by Jennifer James @ 5:44 AM,
5 Comments:
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At February 8, 2008 10:54 AM,
Eilat said...
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What an important post. Thank you!
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At February 8, 2008 11:03 AM,
said...
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Thanks, Eilat!
The difference between breastfeeding and infant feeding during a natural disaster just jumped out at me. After I saw it, I had to share it. -
At February 8, 2008 7:02 PM,
said...
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It's really sad how few people make this connection. Even sadder how many people believe that your milk will dry up during a disaster because of stress and/or lack of water. Sadder still, how many babies get terribly ill or die during disasters due to lack of breastfeeding.
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At February 20, 2008 3:04 AM,
Azúcar said...
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I agree, it's an important consideration, and one that we don't talk enough about.
Natural disasters and emergencies remind me of that little family that got stuck in the mountains in their car a year or two ago. The father eventually struck out to go get help and passed away. The mother kept both her children alive, the baby and the four year old, because she had been nursing the baby and had milk. She literally saved her children's lives because they were able to nurse. -
At May 28, 2008 11:17 AM,
Good and plenty said...
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I breast fed my daughter many years ago during the Blizzard of 1978 in Boston. The snow prevented us leaving our houses and the electricity failed for a time. Because I was able to keep myself nourished, I was able to nourish my daughter.
I nursed two kids and I raised both of my children without buying prepared baby food ever!
The blizzard taught me to always make sure I had a manual can opener, bottled water, non-perishable foods like tuna, peanut butter, etc., on hand.
Thanks for sharing this info.
