The World Health Organization this week issued a press release identifying five urgent health priorities for in earthquake ravaged Haiti.
Among them was "ensuring breastfeeding is continued."
As I've written before, in disaster situations breastfeeding can truly be lifesaving. From the news I've heard it sounds as if there is a severe shortage of clean water, and this can lead to disease which can quickly become fatal in infants. In spite of this, there are many persistent myths about breastfeeding in emergencies.
Last year during World Breastfeeding Week, which focused on the role of breastfeeding in emergencies, WHO director Margaret Chan made these comments:
The life-saving role of breastfeeding during emergencies is firmly supported by evidence and guidance...In all situations, the best way of preventing malnutrition and mortality among infants and young children is to ensure that they start breastfeeding within one hour of birth, breastfeed exclusively...until six months of age and continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods up to two years or beyond. Even in emergency situations, the aim should be to create and sustain an environment that encourages frequent breastfeeding for children up to at least two years of age.
Unfortunately, a widespread misconception assumes that stress or inadequate nutrition, commonly seen during emergencies, can compromise a mother’s ability to breastfeed successfully. News stories from devastated areas often include reports of mothers who have given birth and are "not producing enough breast milk". During emergencies, unsolicited or uncontrolled donations of breast-milk substitutes may undermine breastfeeding and should be avoided. Instead, the focus should be on active protection and support of breastfeeding by, for example, establishing safe “corners” for mothers and infants, one-to-one counselling and mother-to-mother support.
I read Mountains Beyond Mountains, about Paul Farmer and his work in Haiti, last year. I just can't imagine how much misery this earthquake has caused.
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