Breastfeeding in Emergency Situations

Our hearts and prayers go out to each family who has been affected. I hope all of you can begin to rebuild your lives soon. We are all thinking of you and wrapping our love around you. To try to donate breastmilk to these families contact the Milk Bank of North Texas at www.texasmilkbankl.org (Oklahoma branch) In an emergency disaster, whether natural or man-made, breastfeeding can increase a child's survival rate.Breastfeeding saves lives. Breastmilk is a perfect nutrition you can give your child. It contains antibodies that fight infections and diseases. Infants are susceptible to serious illnesses in emergency situations therefore, breastfeeding is best. Unfortunately, sometimes water contamination, poor sanitation and spread of germs and bacteria in an emergency situation such as hurricane, tornados, earthquakes etc... can happen. Breastfeeding your child prevents all this from happening because breastfeeding is sanitary and the safest food for your child. Life around an emergency can be so chaotic. Therefore, the warmth, security, and embrace of a mother's arm are so crucial at this time. Even under stress, moms will have breastmilk to feed their baby. However, helping a mom to relax will help with the flow of her breastmilk. If substitute formula is deemed necessary, this should be carefully managed and monitored. The mom's decision together with the health care provider needs to be considered.At this time, moms need a lot of encouragement and acknowledgment that they are making the right decision for their baby. In conclusion, emergency situations can seriously threaten the nutrition, health, welfare, and survival of your baby. In emergency situations, whole communities and lives can be disrupted and changed forever. It can be confusing and chaotic for all involved. However, you should know that people really do care and they are there to help. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is utmost important at this time. When breastmilk is not available, make sure substitutes are used safely and only when necessary. In fact, the nutrition and welfare of breastfeeding babies will always be the number one priority.I hope and pray that none of us will ever face another emergency situation again and if we do, we can get through it together.