by Kendall Cox
July 20, 2007

We sometimes hear it said, “All babies need to be breastfed—some babies more than others.” Babies born during and after an emergency are definitely in that latter category. Next month marks two years since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and Mississippi, the place I’ve called home for the last dozen years.

Katrina was a brutal reminder of the importance of preparing before a disaster strikes for how to feed the most vulnerable among us. Infant Nutrition During a Disaster: Breastfeeding and Other Options, a fact sheet recently issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), states unequivocally that human milk is the “cleanest, safest food for an infant.” And when a disaster strikes, that becomes even more important.

Some of the things we often take for granted pre-disaster—the availability of clean water and electricity, for example—can vanish in a moment’s time, making how an infant is fed all the more crucial. When we lack clean water, the likelihood that bottles and formula will become a means of introducing infection to a baby increases exponentially. The rise in rates of diarrhea and other illnesses, combined with the interrupted access to basic health care services that can last for days, weeks, or even months after an emergency, leaves babies who aren’t breastfeeding extremely vulnerable.

The AAP’s subcommittee of Breastfeeding Coordinators has given pediatricians some crucial guidance on their role in supporting breastfeeding during an emergency: why the risks of formula are even greater after a disaster strikes; what makes human milk and breastfeeding the safest feeding plan; breastfeeding facts that are especially important to be aware of during an emergency, such as how support makes a difference for helping a mother maintain her milk supply during a stressful event; and information on the possibility of relactation.

After a hurricane (or earthquake, flood, fire, or tsunami), it’s too late to plan. This important document needs to be in every pediatrician’s hands before the next disaster so that the preparation for supporting breastfeeding can begin now and be in place in time to protect those who need protection the most.