My husband and I were just discussing the conundrum of breastfeeding and education about it in emergency situations and the role of formula...

We both agreed that formula undermines the efforts of promoting breastfeeding and that all in all we wished that people didn't send formula when disaster strikes, but they do.  So what then? Well, my husband is a smart man... he suggested that if the formula is going to be sent there anyway that it be consumed by the breastfeeding moms instead. 

With shortages of food, nursing moms could drink the formula so that they can maintain a healthy milk supply for their baby. As well, if the water used for preparing formula for an infant is contaminated it could be life-threatening, whereas an adult may be better able to cope with questionable water purity. 

I'm not sure who here on Lactnet has the ear of people on the ground in Haiti, but I think that my husband might be on to something and thought it would be worth mentioning here.  Perhaps this has long ago been thought of, but if not, maybe this will give someone an idea to put formula to better use.


From a breastfeeding mom and her husband in Canada 

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