One more reason why society should encourage, support, and enable breastfeeding as much as possible -- in the event of a catastrophic emergency, like the flooding in the Philippines, where food and clean water become scarce, mothers and babies who are dependent on formula face much, much greater risks and danger. There is a common misconception that in emergencies, many mothers can no longer breastfeed adequately due to stress or inadequate nutrition. A desire to help may result in the inappropriate donations of infant formula and other milk products. Stress can temporarily interfere with the flow of breast milk; however, it is not likely to inhibit breast-milk production, provided mothers and infants remain together and are adequately supported to initiate and continue breastfeeding. Mothers who lack food or who are malnourished can still breastfeed adequately. Adequate fluids and extra food for the mother will help to protect their health and well-being. If supplies of infant formula and/or powdered milks are widely available, mothers who might otherwise breastfeed might needlessly start giving artificial feeds. This exposes many infants and young children to increased risk of infectious disease, malnutrition and death, especially from diarrhoea when clean water is scarce. The use of feeding bottles only adds further to the risk of infection as they are difficult to clean properly. Bottled water is not sterile.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 01:52:56 +0000
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