Feature: Breastfeeding still best for babies even during emergencies

By Charina A. Javier

MANILA, Sept 6 -- Calamities are pressing people’s physical and economic resources. The recent calamities that struck the country have displaced thousands of families and the aftermath is much worse as illnesses began to spread.

Infants and young children are the most vulnerable. Having weak immunity, they are the ones who easily get sick when staying in crowded evacuation centers.

Undoubtedly, breastfeeding is the best for babies. Breastmilk is the perfect food for newborns and infants because it provides all the nutrients that are needed for healthy development.

Today, as families are in emergency situation and where basic infrastructure has been compromised, breastmilk provides safe food for babies. Breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect them from common childhood illnesses like diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition.

Moreover, breastmilk is readily safe, available and affordable. This helps to ensure that infants get adequate sustenance at the time when they need it, even in emergency situations.

Feeding infants and young children with milk formulas may pose dangers to their nutrition and health status. First, safe water needed for the preparation of milk formula and for cleaning and sterilizing materials such as bottles and nipples may not be available in the area. Water in evacuation centers may be contaminated to cause diarrhea, cholera and other water-borne diseases.

Water should be put to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes if it is to be used to prepare milk formulas. Bottles and nipples should be boiled longer to make them sterile.

This poses the problem of not only safe water but also fuel source, which may also be scarce in evacuation centers.

Storage equipment, like a refrigerator, is most of the time not available and the hot environment in evacuation areas make milk formulas easily spoil.

In a situation where economic activities of a household are disrupted, income and savings, if there are any, are exhausted, and thus, milk formulas become inaccessible.

Mothers who are under stress may have stopped lactating for a day or so, but this can be overcome with good support.

It is a myth to think that because mothers are under stressful situations, they would not be able to breastfeed. They only need support for re-lactation.

The other myth is that because mothers are undernourished or are sick, they cannot breastfeed or the milk is of poor quality. This is not true because even very malnourished mothers can produce good milk.

Under these conditions, breastmilk may be in lower amount but it is still the best source of nourishment for the baby. Mothers, if undernourished as in such case, should be given the nutritional support that she needs.

Indeed, breastfeeding is a life saving intervention. It is best for babies in normal and emergency situations.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com, Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)