Abstract
The care and feeding of infants and young children after any disaster is an important priority, because they are vulnerable as a result of their total dependence on adults for survival. Breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed all infants, and after a disaster it is often the safest way available. Even with maternal dehydration, malnutrition, or limited food intake, mothers’ milk will provide proper nutrition in the initial phase of recovery until further aid arrives. Challenges and circumstances after a disaster will vary according to the type of disaster and the degree of preparedness to deal with them. Under inadequate hygienic conditions and limited clean water and food supplies, the use of formula may increase infants’ risk for illness as a result of contamination. To mitigate infant morbidity and mortality in disasters, it is necessary to include breastfeeding support and safe infant feeding strategies in preparedness plans. This should include keeping the family together (at least mothers and infants), creating safe environments for breastfeeding and infant feeding, providing education and support for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and arranging for ongoing assessment of infant and child hydration and nutritional status.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Breastfeeding |
| Subtitle of host publication | A Guide for the Medical Profession |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | 695-703 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780323680134 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780323680158 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Infant feeding
- breastfeeding
- disaster
- disaster preparedness
- human-provoked disasters
- natural disasters
- relactation