Infant and Young Child Feeding in emergencies

In emergency and relief situations breastfeeding is of critical importance: it saves babies’ lives. Artificial feeding in these situations is difficult and increases the risk of malnutrition, disease and infant death. Protecting breastfeeding in an emergency is a more difficult concept to promote! In the conditions characteristic of most emergencies, breastfeeding becomes even more important for infant nutrition and health. The resources needed for safe artificial feeding - such as water, fuel and adequate quantities of appropriate breastmilk substitutes - are usually scarce in emergencies. Artificial feeding in these circum-stances increases the risk of diarrhoeal diseases and malnutrition, which in turn substantially increase the risk of infant death.

How to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in emergencies:

• Emphasize that breastmilk is best.
• Actively support women to breastfeed.
• Avoid inappropriate distribution of breastmilk substitutes.
• When necessary, use infant formula if available.
• Do not distribute feeding bottles/teats; promote cup feeding.
• Do not distribute dried skim milk unless mixed with cereal.
• Add complementary foods to breastfeeding at 6 months.
• Avoid commercial complementary foods.
• Include pregnant and lactating women in supplementary feeding when general ration is insufficient.

The following documents are available on Infant and young child feeding in emergencies.

• IBFAN's guide on Infant Feeding in Emergencies
• Infant Feeding in Emergencies Report - May 1999 (html)
• Infant Feeding in Emergencies - Module 1 (html)
• Infant Feeding in Emergencies - Module 2 
• ILCA Statement on Infant Feeding in Emergencies,
• Supporting Breastfeeding in times of conflict by Brandel D. Falk.
• Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies - Operational Guidance for Emergency Relief Staff and Policy-Makers (html)
• Agency support for operational guidelines (html)
• Shared experiences in infant and young child feeding in emergencies - case studies (pdf)
• Infant and young child feeding in emergencies: GIFA/ENN report (pdf)
• Update on infant feeding in emergencies - March 2004 (pdf)
• Key guidelines for nutrition in emergencies
• Information on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies for UNICEF Offices and Partners.
• Fact sheet on Infant babies in emergency
• Cholera and Breastfeeding prepared by CARE
• Use of Milks and Breastmilk Substitutes in Emergency Situations by Care
• Environmental health in emergencies and disasters: A Practical guide developed by WHO.