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      <h1 id="top">9.5 Infant feeding in emergencies</h1>
      <div class="section" id="The_problem"><h2>The problem</h2>
    <div>In a nutshell the problem is to provide ongoing food security for everyone involved.<br /><br />Some emergency nutrition situations can be anticipated, eg famine and war; however, the majority can not. Earthquakes, floods, tsunami, fire, cyclones, hurricanes and tornadoes happen quickly and with little warning or time to prepare. During or following such an event there may be:<br /><ul><li>no clean drinking water</li><li>no clean area for food preparation</li><li>no supplies to clean or sterilize feeding utensils</li><li>no refrigeration<br /></li></ul><p>Donations of baby foods and breastmilk substitutes in situations such as this is dangerous and can do more harm to the infants than good.<br /></p></div>
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      <div class="section" id="The_solution_for_the_breastfed_infant"><h2>The solution for the breastfed infant</h2>
    <div>Providing food to the mothers of infants less than a year old, and giving them support to breastfeed their infant is the best way to protect the infant from malnutrition and diseases, and ease the trauma they have experienced.<br /></div>
    <div class="section" id="Some_frequently_asked_questions"><h3>Some frequently asked questions</h3>
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        <table class="dialogue"><tbody><tr class="speaker0"><th>Question:</th><td> Does a mother lose her milk supply when she is in a stressful situation? </td></tr><tr class="speaker1"><th>Answer:</th><td> Stress will not stop the mother producing milk; however it may delay her milk ejection. If a quiet area can be set aside for mothers to breastfeed, with reassurance and support offered, the suckling of the infant will elicit the milk ejection. </td></tr><tr class="speaker0"><th>Question:</th><td> Won't stress or trauma cause the mother's milk to be unsuitable?</td></tr><tr class="speaker1"><th>Answer:</th><td>The composition of a mother's milk will always be perfect - it is not possible to make 'weak' or 'spoiled' breastmilk.</td></tr><tr class="speaker0"><th>Question:</th><td>Could a mother's milk become contaminated?</td></tr><tr class="speaker1"><th>Answer:</th><td>If the infant is suckling directly from the breast there will be no contamination from infectious organisms in the environment. Even if the mother has diarrhea or other infections acquired as a result of the emergency situation these will not be passed via breastfeeding to her infant.</td></tr></tbody></table>
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      <div class="section" id="The_solution_for_the_artificially_fed_infant"><h2>The solution for the artificially fed infant</h2>
    <div>Artificial feeding in these situations is difficult and increases the risk of malnutrition, disease and infant death. The resources required to provide safe nutrition to artificially fed infants may be scarce. They include:<br /><ul><li>an ongoing source of a safe breastmilk substitute, and safe storage for it</li><li>utensils for the preparation of the infant formula, and bottles and teats for feeding<br /></li><li>an ongoing source of clean drinking water</li><li>fuel to heat the water to a safe temperature for formula preparation</li><li>the ability to thoroughly clean all the preparation and feeding utensils</li></ul><p>In crisis affected areas where an imminent end is not in sight, assisting mothers to relactate could be the only solution.<br /></p></div>
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      <div class="section" id="What_can_you_do_to_help_"><h2>What can you do to help?</h2>
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        <li> Protect, promote and support breastfeeding for all infants for at least the first two years of life, with the addition of suitable complementary foods from six months of age. <span style="font-style: italic;"> Breastfed infants are in a much more secure situation should an emergency strike. <br /> <br /> </span> </li>
        <li> Discourage the public from donating infant formula at these times as it is likely to cause more morbidity than it prevents.<br /><br /></li>
        <li>If you are in a position to, volunteer your services to provide support, encouragement and information to the breastfeeding mothers caught in the emergency; and education to the other relief workers.<br /><br /></li>
        <li>Know how to assist a mother to relactate should it become necessary.<br /><br /></li>
        <li>Discuss with ALL parents emergency preparedness for themselves and their children. Encourage them to have an emergency plan and kit always ready.<br /></li>
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      <div>Click on the icon, save and print the paper, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Emergency preparedness for those who care for infants in developed country contexts"</span>. <br />Read the paper, provide copies of it for your colleagues at your place of work, and discuss how you can ensure that this very important message is given to all parents who access your care.<br /></div>
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            <td class="body"><img src="design/remember.png" class="icon" alt="" /><h3>What should I remember?</h3>
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        <li>emergency situations are usually unexpected, with little or no time for preparation</li>
        <li>breastfeeding provides the best food security for infants</li>
        <li>artificially fed infants require a lot of care and resources to ensure their safety</li>
        <li>parents are unlikely to be prepared for an emergency if there is not a procedure in place to educate them<br /></li>
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      <h1>Breastfeeding Essentials</h1>
      <ol>
        <li>1.0 <a href="topic_1-0.html">Why Breastfeeding is Important</a><ol><li>1.1 <a href="topic_1-1.html">Biochemistry</a></li><li>1.2 <a href="topic_1-2.html">Immunology</a></li><li>1.3 <a href="topic_1-3.html">Relative risks</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>2.0 <a href="topic_2-0.html">Communication Skills</a><ol><li>2.1 <a href="topic_2-1.html">Non-verbal</a></li><li>2.2 <a href="topic_2-2.html">Listening skills</a></li><li>2.3 <a href="topic_2-3.html">Building confidence</a></li><li>2.4 <a href="topic_2-4.html">An example</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>3.0 <a href="topic_3-0.html">Pregnancy Care</a><ol><li>3.1 <a href="topic_3-1.html">The feeding decision</a></li><li>3.2 <a href="topic_3-2.html">The barriers</a></li><li>3.3 <a href="topic_3-3.html">Physical preparation</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>4.0 <a href="topic_4-0.html">The Birth Experience</a><ol><li>4.1 <a href="topic_4-1.html">The first hours</a></li><li>4.2 <a href="topic_4-2.html">Labor interventions</a></li><li>4.3 <a href="topic_4-3.html">Postnatal interventions</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>5.0 <a href="topic_5-0.html">Breastfeeding the Baby</a><ol><li>5.1 <a href="topic_5-1.html">Positioning Principles</a></li><li>5.2 <a href="topic_5-2.html">Breastmilk transfer</a></li><li>5.3 <a href="topic_5-3.html">Assessing breastfeeding</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>6.0 <a href="topic_6-0.html">A time to learn</a><ol><li>6.1 <a href="topic_6-1.html">Practical skills</a></li><li>6.2 <a href="topic_6-2.html">Breastfeeding messages</a></li><li>6.3 <a href="topic_6-3.html">Normal growth</a></li><li>6.4 <a href="topic_6-4.html">Sleep</a></li><li>6.5 <a href="topic_6-5.html">Psychological support</a></li><li>6.6 <a href="topic_6-6.html">Discharge planning</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>7.0 <a href="topic_7-0.html">Infant Challenges</a><ol><li>7.1 <a href="topic_7-1.html">Late preterm infant; Non-latching</a></li><li>7.2 <a href="topic_7-2.html">Hypoglycemia; Jaundice</a></li><li>7.3 <a href="topic_7-3.html">Supplementation</a></li><li>7.4 <a href="topic_7-4.html">Crying baby</a></li><li>7.5 <a href="topic_7-5.html">Inadequate weight gain</a><ol><li>7.5.1 <a href="topic_7-5-1.html">Feeding-line device at the breast</a></li><li>7.5.2 <a href="topic_7-5-2.html">Cup feeding</a></li><li>7.5.3 <a href="topic_7-5-3.html">Finger Feeding</a></li><li>7.5.4 <a href="topic_7-5-4.html">Bottle feeding</a></li></ol></li></ol></li>
        <li>8.0 <a href="topic_8-0.html">Maternal Challenges</a><ol><li>8.1 <a href="topic_8-1.html">Engorgement</a></li><li>8.2 <a href="topic_8-2.html">Nipple Pain</a></li><li>8.3 <a href="topic_8-3.html">Breast Problems</a></li><li>8.4 <a href="topic_8-4.html">Insufficient breastmilk</a></li><li>8.5 <a href="topic_8-5.html">Medical, Surgical Issues</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>9.0 <a href="topic_9-0.html">Promotion, Protection and Support</a><ol><li>9.1 <a href="topic_9-1.html">The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes</a></li><li>9.2 <a href="topic_9-2.html">The Baby Friendly Initiative</a></li><li>9.3 <a href="topic_9-3.html">Young Child Feeding</a></li><li>9.4 <a href="topic_9-4.html">Local initiatives</a></li><li class="current">9.5 <img src="design/bullet_arrow_right.png" alt="*" title="You are here" /><a href="topic_9-5.html">Infant feeding in emergencies</a></li></ol></li>
        <li>10.0 <a href="topic_10-0.html">Closing session</a><hr /></li>
        <li class="appendix"> <a href="references.html">List of references</a></li>
        <li class="appendix"> <a href="contents.html">Course contents</a></li>
        <li class="appendix"> <a href="full.html">Print version</a></li>
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