Pam said:
<<I have been able to get some emergency breastfeeding information to my
relative who is high up in FEMA. I have sent him the emergency
instruction links from LLLI, Unicef, Ibfan, and Ilca . I don't know
when or if it will ever make a difference, but at least ONE Fema person
knows breastfeeding is important during emergencies and there are ways
already in place to implement it! >>
Great work, Pam!
<<Question: At what point should information on breastfeeding during
emergencies be given new mothers - at shelters, prenatally, at
birth - when and where? >>
There's a lot to think about, isn't there? Someone suggested that we
need some new committee for this and I tend to agree (consider me a
volunteer if so) For what it's worth I suggest a multi-pronged approach.
When? Before, during and after. Where? Everywhere, LOL. Yes, at
shelters. Yes, to all pregnant women (or at least all of those in their
third trimester) in these crises, yes by ob-gyns as a normal part of
their prenatal care ("You'll be having this baby during hurricane
season. I urge you to consider breastfeeding at least until hurricane
season is over.") Any woman in a disaster-area who has recently given
birth should be urged, by anyone in a position to care for or help her,
to put her baby to breast. Press releases should be put out by EOC's
(emergency operations centers and the like) beforehand if there is
advance notice of the potential catastrophe. In Miami certain press
releases are put out as a storm approaches, advising people on how to
prepare. One of those should be about breastfeeding. Those same press
releases can be re-released after the crisis or storm hits.
Posters should be produced to be posted at shelters with basic
breastfeeding information and phone numbers to call for help.
Media outlets are usually very cooperative in giving their time and
attention to the "official" recommendations of emergency management
folks. That's why we need "officials" inside these organizations -
because then we'll get the media to put out stories about women being
urged to breastfeed. That will spread the word, quickly.
<<Who should do it? Heath professionals, Red Cross, etc.?>>
My ideal is that IBCLCs & other willing volunteers (PCs, LLL Leaders)
are on the scene working in teams, but I would imagine that Red Cross
volunteers & officials should get some basic training on breastfeeding
as well.
<<There is a pamphlet put out by Red Cross and Fema that outlines ways
to prepare for a disaster - no mention of breastfeeding. If they would
include one sentence, "Breastmilk alone can sustain your baby for about
the first six months" it might make a difference.>>
Yup. ITA.
<<I agree that what breastfeeding mothers need most at shelters is a
quiet, private place where support and information can be given, ideally
from a lactation consultant! Just a place where they could gather and
support each other would be SOOO beneficial.>>
Sounds serene - that would be wonderful for them. Hey - wouldn't it be
great if LLL held a group "meeting" at shelters? Perhaps the meeting
series could be adapted for the situation, and the entire series (is it
still 4? I retired several years ago, lol) done over the course of 4
days in the shelters, instead of 4 months.....
Regina Roig-Lane, BS IBCLC for Miami-Dade County WIC
(786) 336-1333 x151
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