Breastfeeding during Crises and Emergencies

摘要

Data for the present work were based on electronic search of research studies published on the subject. The literature suggests that chances of malnutrition in infants considerably increase during natural disasters and crisis situations. In such emergencies, helping mothers successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding becomes even more crucial.Children in vulnerable situations have special needs for infection-fighting factors, optimal nutrition, reliable food source and comfort; all these can be ensured only by breastfeeding. Usually the water sources are contaminated during emergencies and if used for dilution of powdered milk and/or washing of nipples and bottles, this water can cause irreversible health damage to the infants.In contrast, human milk provides ample hydration and spares infants exposure to contaminated water due to destruction in emergencies. As rate of infections increases during emergencies; infants who are not breastfed will be more susceptible to infections and other illnesses. Consequently, they will be more likely to require hospitalization and to die in the first year of life, in fact, considerably costing the families and community. Mothers warrant extra support during crises; which demands for rapidly keeping their infants with them and providing space where they can feel comfortable nursing. Mothers delivering during the crisis should be encouraged and helped to initiate breastfeeding immediately after birth and to exclusive breastfeed for approximately 6 months.Those mothers who recently stopped breastfeeding due to stress should be assisted to relactate. Misconceptions and fears leading to stop and/or minimize breastfeeding must be dispelled with accurate information. Wherever and whenever needed suitable arrangements for wet nursing must be made ensuring optimal infant nutritional requirements. Beside, proper feeding the mother is the safest, most effective way to ensure adequate infant nutrition during emergencies.