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Emergency Responders
Families
Healthcare Providers
Mom2Mom Global® is proud to work with SafelyFed USA, a coalition of agencies and nonprofits dedicated to protecting infants and young children who are vulnerable during emergencies. We strongly recommend that all parents, healthcare professionals, and responders visit SafelyFed USA for the most up-to-date information about current emergency relief efforts.
Communities of color often suffer the most devastating losses and have the least access to resources following a disaster. Mom2Mom Global endorses the National Association of Professional and Peer Lactation Supporters of Color
STATEMENT ON INFANT FEEDING DURING DISASTERS.
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There is very little guidance from US federal agencies on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E), but the CDC does have a website: https://www.cdc.gov/features/disasters-infant-feeding/index.html
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American Association of Pediatrics updated recommendations (2016).
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No U.S. states mention IYCF-E in their disaster preparedness plans.
As a result, evacuation and sheltering may disrupt breastfeeding due to lack of accurate information, and formula is often donated and handed out without proper safety instructions, resulting in infant illness and fatalities from improperly prepared formula, improper cleaning of bottles and nipples, etc.
The links below provide accurate, evidence-based best practices based on the United Nations Infant Feeding Emergency-Core Group operational guidance.
Downloads
IYCF-E Guidance and Information for Responders
Resources for Parents
The SafelyFed USA Facebook page is a primary source of information, graphics, and resources. https://www.facebook.com/SafelyFedUSA/
Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute has created a L.I.F.E. Toolkit bundle for lactation professionals and other responders to mass emergencies. You can view and download the free and customizable toolkit. https://sph.unc.edu/cgbi/cgbi-resources-l-i-f-e-support-basic-kit/
The Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) has approved IYCF-E operational guidance available in multiple languages, including English and Spanish. https://www.ennonline.net/operationalguidance-v3-2017
An IYCF-E manual for health and nutrition workers in emergency situations for training, practice and reference is also available, produced by: ENN, IBFAN-GIFA, Fondation Terre des hommes, CARE USA, Action Contre la Faim, UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, WFP, Linkages http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/emergencies/ife_module2/en/
UNICEF training modules on IYCF-E for responders. In particular sections 2 and 5. These are self-paced click-through modules, and the summary slides might be helpful to share with medical staff. http://www.ennonline.net/operationalguidanceiycfv2.1
U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Statement on IYCF-E
National Association of Professional and Peer Lactation Supporters of Color
Momma's Village Warmline (NC) 1-910-764-8314
Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association 1-800-313-6141
National Lactation Support Database for Families of Color
La Leche League 1-877-4-LALECHE
National Women’s Health Helpline 1-800-994-9662