Breastfeeding can protect your baby during an emergency

CDPHE News Release by Lori Maldonado


Be Prepared – Breastfeed: A Shield That Protects Infants in an Emergency

DENVER—Breastfeeding is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about how to prepare for an emergency. However, state nutritionists say breastfeeding is just the shield moms need to protect their infants in a crisis.

“Being prepared for natural or manmade emergencies is not just a global concern, it also is a Colorado concern,” said Jennifer Dellaport, nutritionist and breastfeeding coordinator at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, “Colorado is prone to incidents that can bring a family’s daily routine and a small town or large city to a halt for long periods of time, such as blizzards, wildfires, snowstorms and tornadoes. Breastfeeding requires no running water and protects babies from contamination or limited water resources,” said Dellaport, referencing isolated incidents of contaminated water and formula recalls that have limited access to a safe food and water supply.

Despite the situation or surroundings, breastfeeding is safe, free, readily available and designed to nourish and hydrate infants.

Breast milk provides optimal nutrition to support an infant’s growth and development and provides protection against respiratory illness and diarrhea, diseases that can be fatal in groups displaced by disasters. “Plus, in a disaster, breastfeeding is calming to both the mother and baby,” said Dellaport.

These messages are part of a national effort to promote World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2009. This year’s theme, “Be Prepared – Breastfeed: A shield that protects infants in an emergency,” reflects the vital role that breastfeeding plays during emergencies.

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She cited events in Colorado as an example of emergencies where breastfeeding would be helpful:
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In January 2009, wildfires in the Boulder area forced thousands to evacuate their homes.
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In March 2009, a blizzard left more than 400 airline passengers stranded at Denver International Airport.
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A flash flood in Fort Collins displaced families from their homes in August 2007.
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A tornado touched down in Windsor in May 2008, killing one and leaving hundreds without food and shelter.
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In Alamosa, water contaminated by salmonella sickened over 275 people and thousands were without safe water for several weeks.
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H1N1 season has become a pandemic, sickening many Coloradans.

Dellaport provided the following additional facts on breastfeeding:

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Breastfeeding infants for more than six months provides long-term protection against illness and disease.
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Infants who are breastfed always have a source of food.
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Mothers under stress still will produce milk. During emergencies, responding relief organizations are encouraged to support breastfeeding by providing a dedicated space with privacy and knowledgeable counselors to encourage continued breastfeeding.