When an emergency or natural disaster occurs, it can feel overwhelming and stressful, especially when resources are limited. During these challenging times, breastfeeding is the safest way to feed and care for your baby. It provides vital nutrition, hydration, protection from infections, and emotional comfort in times of uncertainty. This guide is here to offer the support and information you need to understand the crucial role breastfeeding plays during emergencies, helping ensure your baby remains healthy and well-nourished when it matters most.

How Breastfeeding Protects Your Baby in an Emergency

Breast milk is not only the ideal food—it can also be lifesaving in times of disaster.

  • Breastfeeding is always available, requires no preparation, and doesn’t need special equipment, which is essential in an emergency situation when access to clean water or food may be limited.

  • It offers the right balance of nutrients and hydration, keeping your baby safe and healthy. Powerful antibodies protect your baby from infections and illnesses, which is vital if medical care is limited.

  • In stressful times, breastfeeding offers emotional support and comfort. The hormones released while breastfeeding help reduce stress and anxiety, providing a sense of calm and security for both you and your baby.

Practical Guidance for Breastfeeding During Emergencies

During an emergency, keeping infant feeding as simple and safe as possible can help reduce stress. After a natural disaster or other emergency, early support is often available through organizations such as the Red Cross and FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Local resources may also include police or sheriff’s departments, city halls, churches, and community organizations. Breastfeeding-specific support may be available through groups like La Leche League or by connecting with a lactation consultant.

Here are some key guidelines for breastfeeding in an emergency: 

Seek Shelter and Stay Together

Your safety and your baby’s safety are the top priorities. First, make sure you are both in a safe place and not separated so that you can continue breastfeeding. This helps your baby stay hydrated, nourished, and healthy, even in stressful situations.

Stay Hydrated and Nourished

Taking care of yourself is key to being able to care for your baby. Drink plenty of water, eat what you can, and rest when possible. If regular meals are hard to manage, focusing on hydration will help maintain your milk supply.

Hygiene and Cleanliness When Resources Are Limited

In some emergencies, you may not have access to clean water or sanitation, but you can still breastfeed safely. Wash your hands whenever possible, and do your best to keep yourself and your breastfeeding space clean. Direct breastfeeding is safest as this option doesn’t require bottles, formula, or other feeding supplies, which may be hard to clean or find during an emergency. 

If Direct Breastfeeding Isn’t Possible

If you’re unable to breastfeed directly, pumping or hand expression can help maintain your milk supply. In the event of a power outage, battery-operated pumps, manual pumps, or hand expression are practical options to express milk. If your baby is not able to feed directly at the breast, cup feeding is a safer choice than bottle feeding. It doesn’t require bottles or nipples, which may be difficult to sanitize.

Supplementing Safely During Emergencies

Human milk offers the highest level of protection, lowering the risk of diarrhea and dehydration which would be particularly dangerous in emergency situations. If your baby cannot breastfeed directly, your expressed milk is the preferred option. Next is donor milk from another breastfeeding mother. A lactation consultant may be able to connect families with donor human milk resources, address milk production or relactation needs, and guide safe infant feeding choices during emergencies.

If neither of these is available, ready-to-use formula is the safest choice in an emergency, as it requires no mixing with water and can be fed immediately. Preparing concentrated liquid or powdered formula is particularly risky if there are concerns about water safety.

What about My Freezer Stash?

If you’re able to prepare in advance, grouping breast milk containers tightly together and placing them toward the back of the freezer can help them stay frozen longer. Once a power outage begins, keeping the freezer closed as much as possible preserves cold temperatures. When checking your stash, milk that still contains ice crystals can safely be refrozen, while fully thawed milk should be kept cold and used within 24 hours.

A Reliable Source of Safety and Comfort During Emergencies

Given these challenges, breastfeeding during an emergency remains the safest and most reliable way to nourish your baby. It offers essential nourishment, protection from infections, and emotional comfort—all without the need for additional supplies that may be difficult to find in a crisis. Breastfeeding not only helps your baby stay safe and healthy, but it also provides a sense of calm and security during uncertain times.

Disclaimer: Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical advice. For personalized recommendations, please consult your healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.