How will you feed your baby in an emergency?
Aug 26, 2014 19:34:15 GMT 10
wolfstar and You Must Enter A Name like this
Post by StepfordRenegade on Aug 26, 2014 19:34:15 GMT 10
How will you feed your baby in an emergency?
This information is useful for anyone that is likely to be around babies - if something happens to mum it may be up to you to keep little Ass Kicker alive. If Darryl can do it - so can you!
Breastfeeding
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding up until 6 months of age (exclusive means no solids, formula etc). Current Australian guidelines say that solids should be introduced between 4-6 months to minimise allergies, but personally I'd go with WHO in a prolonged emergency scenario because their guidelines cater for all babies, including those in developing countries. I think it's safe to assume that's the standard of living we might end up with in an emergency.
Obviously breastfeeding is the first option - it's made up of all the right stuff, it's free, it's on tap, it's the right temperature, boosts immunity and it doesn't require any prep or cleaning work.
To maintain milk supply it is absolutely essential mum stays well hydrated. Nutrition is important as well; breastfeeding mums need roughly 500 extra calories a day (2000-2100 kilojoules). Interestingly though your body will naturally give bub priority for nutrients, mum will get what's left. It's a good idea to have breastfeeding supplements as part of your preps - you can get some that cater for both pregnancy and breastfeeding in the one supplement.
Things that can boost or help maintain supply (that aren't prescription) include fenugreek supplements, oats, and brewers yeast - so drink a beer if you can't find anything else (after reading this info here on alcohol and breastfeeding).
What happens if mum isn't around or can't feed them though?
Expressing
With both my children I have made sure they will also take a bottle in case for whatever reason I can't feed them, e.g. I need medication that will have negative effects on bub, I am away from them for longer than expected etc. I have a decent stash of expressed milk in the freezer as a 'just in case.' Yes i have breast milk as a prep - haha!
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has some great info on storing breastmilk on their website here and at best it will last 6-12 months in a chest freezer at -20 degrees celcius (that is opened infrequently and maintains temperature). I use my upright freezer regularly so make sure the milk is used within 3 months. Remember to label and date it to avoid confusion!
Formula
Having a stash of formula is also a good option because it isn't dependent on having a lactating woman handy and you don't need power to store it. Please be mindful of expiry dates, and you will also need some bottles and cooled boiled water to mix with it. WHO has guidlines for the safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula here. Please read them carefully if you choose this option, because not preparing formula correctly can put your baby at risk.
You can also buy 'ready to use' formula, although I couldn't find an example for you (please post if you find a picture or some info). Here are the QLD Health guidelines for preparing ready-to-use infant formula can be found here.
Bottle feeding
With both expressed milk and formula you will also need warm, soapy water to clean the bottles, have a product like Milton Antibacterial Solution on hand, or be able to boil them (contrary to popular belief, if you wash them properly with warm soapy water they don't need to be sterilised - however personally I would still sterilise before first use).
In a pinch, you can also feed baby expressed breast milk or formula from a cup, teaspoon or syringe.
Natural alternatives
Raw cow's or goat's milk is also an emergency option, but it is designed for baby cows and goats so won't provide your baby with all the nourishment they need, and it is not without it's health risks.
Emergency formula recipes
I have found a few emergency formula recipes online, but because I have no medical knowledge and can't verify their quality, I will let you do your own research on that one.
Further reading:
This information is useful for anyone that is likely to be around babies - if something happens to mum it may be up to you to keep little Ass Kicker alive. If Darryl can do it - so can you!
Breastfeeding
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding up until 6 months of age (exclusive means no solids, formula etc). Current Australian guidelines say that solids should be introduced between 4-6 months to minimise allergies, but personally I'd go with WHO in a prolonged emergency scenario because their guidelines cater for all babies, including those in developing countries. I think it's safe to assume that's the standard of living we might end up with in an emergency.
Obviously breastfeeding is the first option - it's made up of all the right stuff, it's free, it's on tap, it's the right temperature, boosts immunity and it doesn't require any prep or cleaning work.
To maintain milk supply it is absolutely essential mum stays well hydrated. Nutrition is important as well; breastfeeding mums need roughly 500 extra calories a day (2000-2100 kilojoules). Interestingly though your body will naturally give bub priority for nutrients, mum will get what's left. It's a good idea to have breastfeeding supplements as part of your preps - you can get some that cater for both pregnancy and breastfeeding in the one supplement.
Things that can boost or help maintain supply (that aren't prescription) include fenugreek supplements, oats, and brewers yeast - so drink a beer if you can't find anything else (after reading this info here on alcohol and breastfeeding).
What happens if mum isn't around or can't feed them though?
Expressing
With both my children I have made sure they will also take a bottle in case for whatever reason I can't feed them, e.g. I need medication that will have negative effects on bub, I am away from them for longer than expected etc. I have a decent stash of expressed milk in the freezer as a 'just in case.' Yes i have breast milk as a prep - haha!
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has some great info on storing breastmilk on their website here and at best it will last 6-12 months in a chest freezer at -20 degrees celcius (that is opened infrequently and maintains temperature). I use my upright freezer regularly so make sure the milk is used within 3 months. Remember to label and date it to avoid confusion!
Formula
Having a stash of formula is also a good option because it isn't dependent on having a lactating woman handy and you don't need power to store it. Please be mindful of expiry dates, and you will also need some bottles and cooled boiled water to mix with it. WHO has guidlines for the safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula here. Please read them carefully if you choose this option, because not preparing formula correctly can put your baby at risk.
You can also buy 'ready to use' formula, although I couldn't find an example for you (please post if you find a picture or some info). Here are the QLD Health guidelines for preparing ready-to-use infant formula can be found here.
Bottle feeding
With both expressed milk and formula you will also need warm, soapy water to clean the bottles, have a product like Milton Antibacterial Solution on hand, or be able to boil them (contrary to popular belief, if you wash them properly with warm soapy water they don't need to be sterilised - however personally I would still sterilise before first use).
In a pinch, you can also feed baby expressed breast milk or formula from a cup, teaspoon or syringe.
Natural alternatives
Raw cow's or goat's milk is also an emergency option, but it is designed for baby cows and goats so won't provide your baby with all the nourishment they need, and it is not without it's health risks.
Emergency formula recipes
I have found a few emergency formula recipes online, but because I have no medical knowledge and can't verify their quality, I will let you do your own research on that one.
Further reading:
- Australian Breastfeeding Association guidlines for feeding your baby in an emergency: www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/infant-feeding-emergencies
- World Health Organisation information on Infant and Young Child Feeding: www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs342/en/
