In Emergencies Breastfeeding Can Save Lives - World Breastfeeding Week Starts

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31st July 2009, 02:20pm - Views: 653





Community Health Australian Breastfeeding Association 1 image


MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

In Emergencies Breastfeeding Can Save Lives

‘Helping mothers to continue breastfeeding in emergencies protects infants, providing them with a safe and secure source

of food, water and comfort’, says Carey Wood, Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) spokesperson. Breastfeeding

protects infants from the worst of emergency conditions and can be life saving. The ABA is celebrating World

Breastfeeding Week from 1–7 August and the theme for this year is ‘Breastfeeding in emergencies: A Vital Response’.

‘Australia is a country prone to natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, storms, cyclones and drought. However,

emergencies can include things like power outages and traffic jams — anything that prevents a mother having access to

her normal resources’, says Ms Wood.

Ms Wood explains that ‘it is important to support breastfeeding before, during and after an emergency’. ABA has launched

a business card for distribution to NGOs and emergency workers to assist with the specific needs of mothers and babies

in emergencies. These include recommendations that mothers receive priority access to food & other resources, privacy,

support from other women, safety, reassurance and access to skilled assistance with breastfeeding.

‘Where infants are not breastfed, it can be extremely difficult to provide them with appropriate food and water in

emergency circumstances, even in Australia. Delaying weaning from breastfeeding until after the emergency season has

passed should be encouraged as a part of emergency plan’, she said.

Emergency preparedness for the carers of formula-fed babies should include storage of additional infant formula, 24 litres

of water per day for making up feeds and cleaning, detergent, a feeding cup, a gas stove, fuel, pot and kettle for boiling

water. ‘An emergency situation is a traumatic time for both mother and baby. Providing mothers with the appropriate care

can make all the difference’, said Ms Wood.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association calls on Australian aid agencies to ensure their responses to emergencies do

not undermine breastfeeding through the indiscriminate distribution of powdered milk and infant formula. Aid should

protect mothers and babies through support for breastfeeding and only through targeted intensive aid to the carers of

artificially-fed babies. Published total mortality rates for infants under 12 months in emergencies are much higher than at

ordinary times, ranging from 12% to 53%.

Infants and young children are the most vulnerable during emergencies due to increased risk of death due to diarrhoea

and pneumonia. During emergencies, unsolicited or uncontrolled donations of breastmilk substitutes may undermine

breastfeeding and should be avoided.

As part of emergency preparedness, hospitals and other health care services should have trained health workers who can

help mothers establish, re-establish breastfeeding and/or overcome difficulties.


Australian Breastfeeding Association HO 03 9885 0855 (Susan Greenbank/Kate Mortensen)

Carey Wood        0408 207 826  National & NSW

Karen Ingram      0414 865 018  VIC;             Marion Bowen     03 6425 5780  TAS






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