These risks should be starkly apparent at the moment, as we follow the
events in New Orleans and the region around it.  No water, no electricity,
roads under water and displaced people crowded together with unspeakably bad
sanitation - the formula fed baby is much more vulnerable in such
conditions.  I was heartened by this story, from the New Orleans
Times-Picayune, on line.
(http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tporleans/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tporleans/arc
hives/2005_09.html#075586):

'From a crowded, dark attic surrounded by floodwater in a city pushed to the
brink by Hurricane Katrina, 5 pounds, 4 ounces of hope has arrived.
James Kenneth Brundy Jr. was born just after midnight Tuesday to Waldrica
Nathan, 19, as she was stranded with family members in her fiance's 9th Ward
attic.

More than 36 hours after they were rescued by boat, Nathan and the baby were
in excellent shape Wednesday at West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero,
doctors said. The child had been delivered by his father, James Brundy Sr.
and his two grandparents, who had picked up a few obstetric skills from
watching the Birth Channel.

"The doctors said they were amazed that the family did all the right
things," hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Steel said.
As she lay in a maternity gown in the hospital's delivery unit, Nathan said
her family's saga began Monday about 6:30 a.m. Nine months' pregnant, she
and the others were forced to climb into the attic as waters rose rapidly on
Metropolitan Street. By about 8 a.m. at the height of the storm, she started
having contractions. While she gritted her teeth through the pain, family
members dialed 911 but were told no one could help.

Nine months' pregnant, she and the others were forced to climb into the
attic as waters rose rapidly on Metropolitan Street. By about 8 a.m. at the
height of the storm, she started having contractions. While she gritted her
teeth through the pain, family members dialed 911 but were told no one could
help.

"Boats and helicopters were passing by all day but none stopped," Nathan
said. At exactly midnight, her water broke, and James Brundy Jr. was born 22
minutes later.'

The grandfather "knew just where to cut the cord and how to tie a shoestring
around it," she said.

"We cleaned him off with some alcohol pads, wrapped him in a clean sheet,
and I breast-fed. That's all he wanted to do, was eat," she said.'

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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