SUBSCRIBE | LOG IN TO THE FIRST FOOD CONNECTION HUB 
U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
  • USBC Membership
    • USBC Member Directory
    • Join USBC
    • Membership Benefits & FAQs
    • Membership Fee Schedules
    • Membership Interest Form & Affiliated Coalitions Directory Request Form
  • Policy & Actions
    • Constellation Work Groups >
      • Infant & Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Constellation
      • Disrupting Formula Marketing Constellation
      • Lactation Support Providers Constellation
      • Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Constellation
      • Workplace Support Constellation
    • Active Legislation
    • Breastfeeding Policy Map
    • Existing Legislation
    • Federal Policies, Programs, & Initiatives
    • PUMP Act >
      • The PUMP Act Explained
      • PUMP Act Implementation Resources
      • Know Your Rights-PUMP-Act--PWFA
    • Federal Appropriations for Breastfeeding
    • Take Action
    • Letters & Public Comments
  • Resources
    • USBC Directories >
      • USBC Member Directory
      • Affiliated Coalitions Directory
    • Breastfeeding References
    • Breastfeeding Resources for Parents
    • Breastfeeding In Emergencies >
      • Infant Formula Recall and Shortage
    • Constellation Developed Resources
    • Image Gallery Access
    • Lactation Support Provider Training Directory >
      • Lactation Support Providers Pathways
    • Learning Opportunities
    • Monthly Observances
    • State Breastfeeding Reports
    • USBC Data Survey
  • News & Events
    • Annual Conference
    • Events Calendar
    • National Breastfeeding Month
    • USBC in the Media
    • USBC News & Blogs
    • Weekly Wire Newsletter
  • About Us
    • About the USBC
    • Explaining our "Why"
    • Our Team
    • Job Opportunities
    • Board of Directors
    • USBC Committees
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • History
    • Community Agreements & Guidelines
    • Annual Reports
    • Ways to Give
    • Contact Us
  • USBC Membership
    • USBC Member Directory
    • Join USBC
    • Membership Benefits & FAQs
    • Membership Fee Schedules
    • Membership Interest Form & Affiliated Coalitions Directory Request Form
  • Policy & Actions
    • Constellation Work Groups >
      • Infant & Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Constellation
      • Disrupting Formula Marketing Constellation
      • Lactation Support Providers Constellation
      • Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Constellation
      • Workplace Support Constellation
    • Active Legislation
    • Breastfeeding Policy Map
    • Existing Legislation
    • Federal Policies, Programs, & Initiatives
    • PUMP Act >
      • The PUMP Act Explained
      • PUMP Act Implementation Resources
      • Know Your Rights-PUMP-Act--PWFA
    • Federal Appropriations for Breastfeeding
    • Take Action
    • Letters & Public Comments
  • Resources
    • USBC Directories >
      • USBC Member Directory
      • Affiliated Coalitions Directory
    • Breastfeeding References
    • Breastfeeding Resources for Parents
    • Breastfeeding In Emergencies >
      • Infant Formula Recall and Shortage
    • Constellation Developed Resources
    • Image Gallery Access
    • Lactation Support Provider Training Directory >
      • Lactation Support Providers Pathways
    • Learning Opportunities
    • Monthly Observances
    • State Breastfeeding Reports
    • USBC Data Survey
  • News & Events
    • Annual Conference
    • Events Calendar
    • National Breastfeeding Month
    • USBC in the Media
    • USBC News & Blogs
    • Weekly Wire Newsletter
  • About Us
    • About the USBC
    • Explaining our "Why"
    • Our Team
    • Job Opportunities
    • Board of Directors
    • USBC Committees
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • History
    • Community Agreements & Guidelines
    • Annual Reports
    • Ways to Give
    • Contact Us

Infant and young child feeding in emergencies (iYCF-E)

Picture
Emergencies often occur when least expected, and sometimes when we are least prepared. They can include a wide range of unsettling events, including personal or family crises, public health emergencies (such as a flu pandemic), acts of terror and violence, and natural disasters or weather-related events (such as floods and blizzards).

Facts about Breastfeeding and Human Milk Feeding During Emergencies


Picture
Picture
Picture

Infants and Children are the Most Vulnerable

  • Nearly 95% of infant and child deaths in emergencies result from diarrhea due to contaminated water and an unsanitary environment.
  • Infant formula has been linked to an increase in infant disease and death: it can also be contaminated and requires clean water and fuel to sterilize formula, bottles, and nipples. Lack of electricity also can make it difficult to preserve formula.
  • Breastfeeding saves lives! Human milk is always clean, requires no fuel, water, or electricity, and is available, even in the direst circumstances.
  • Human milk contains antibodies that fight infection, including diarrhea and respiratory infections common among infants in emergency situations.
  • Human milk provides infants with perfect nutrition, including the proper amount of vitamins and minerals required for normal growth.
  • Mothers who breastfeed are able to keep their babies warm to prevent hypothermia.

Breastfeeding in Emergencies is Safe!

  • The safest food in an emergency is the mother’s own milk. Donor human milk is the next best option. Those who cannot directly feed their babies can also be supported to express their milk.
  • Stressful situations can make infant feeding difficult, but lactation is still possible. A quiet area that helps a parent relax can help milk flow more freely for the baby.
  • Even those who have already discontinued breastfeeding may be able to restart lactation through a process called relactation.
  • If a baby (or parent) becomes ill, the best thing they can do is to continue breastfeeding to provide the baby with human antibodies that fight the illness.
  • Breastfeeding releases hormones that lower stress and anxiety in both babies and mothers.
  • Support makes the difference!

Resources for Lactation Support Providers & Emergency Responders


  • Alimentación Segura Infantil
    • Alimentación Segura en Emergencia (en español)
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
    • Infant Nutrition in Disasters and Other Emergencies: Breastfeeding and Other Options
  • Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI)
    • Lactation & Infant Feeding in Emergencies (L.I.F.E.) Support - Basic Kit v1.2
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
    • Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) Toolkit
    • IYCF-E Social Media Toolkit​
    • Participation in Community Preparedness Programs in Human Services Organizations and Faith-Based Organizations — New York City, 2018
    • Safety Messages For Pregnant, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding Women During Disasters
  • Emergency Nutrition Network
    • Relactation in Infant Feeding in Emergencies (IFE) Module 2, Version 1.1
  • Emergency Nutrition Network, Interagency Working Group on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies
    • Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Operational Guidance for Emergency Relief Staff and Programme Managers
  • International Lactation Consultant Association
    • Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Breastfeeding
    • Facts about Breastfeeding in an Emergency - Especially for Health Workers
  • Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
    • Guidelines to Support the Breastfeeding Infant During Emergencies While in Child Care
  • National Association of City and County Health Officials 
    • ​​Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) Resource Guide
  • Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response
    • Infant Feeding During Disasters
  • Save the Children
    • IYCF-E Toolkit
  • UNICEF/Baby-Friendly Initiative
    • Maximising breastmilk and re-lactation guidance
  • U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
    • Joint Statement on Infant and Young Child Feeding in the Context of the Infant Formula Crisis and Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic ​
    • Joint Statement on Infant and Young Child Feeding in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States ​

Resources for Parents


  • Alimentación Segura Infantil
    • Alimentación Segura en Emergencia (en español)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention​
    • Be Prepared: Emergency Preparation Checklist for Families with Infants and Young Children​​
    • ​Cup Feeding Infants During Emergencies
    • Feeding Your Child Safely During a Disaster
    • How to Clean Infant Feeding Items During Emergencies
    • Breast Milk Storage and Preparation
  • International Lactation Consultant Association
    • Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Breastfeeding
  • Kellymom​
    • My power went out and I have breastmilk in the freezer - Help!
  • La Leche League International
    • Infant Feeding In Emergencies (Multilingual)
  • Lactation Education Resources
    • Hand Expression of Breastmilk


Webinar Spotlight


Commercial Milk Formula Marketing: Communities and Emergencies

Picture
Malaika Ludman, MPH, CLC presents an overview of how formula marketing practices impact communities in emergencies as well as the various tactics that formula companies use to appeal to consumers, healthcare workers, health systems, and policy makers. Dr. Kimarie Bugg, DNP, FNP-BC, MPH, IBCLC explains how important breastfeeding representation is in the Black community and Lourdes Santaballa, MS, IBCLC, IYCFS takes us through the WHO Code in the context of Puerto Rico and local disasters.
This webinar is part two of a three-part series titled "Commercial Milk Formula Marketing: Communities, Contexts, and Impacts".  Visit the Disrupting Formula Marketing Constellation webpage to watch more. 
Copyright U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.  All Rights Reserved.
1629 K Street NW, Suite 300 | Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (773) 359-1549 | [email protected] | sitemap
QuestionPro's survey software plays a major role in helping us keep in touch with our alumni, volunteers, donors, employees, and other affiliates. Surveying them has helped strengthen our relationship.

Picture