Breastfeeding through natural emergencies

​My littlest turned one-year-old last month in March, and yay for a breastfeeding milestone!  March also marked the start of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic here in the U.S.  While I would have been content starting along the weaning phase of breastfeeding, because let’s face it, finding time to pump while working fulltime, the nightly wakings to nurse for comfort, and the endless pump parts to wash and sanitize, is exhausting.  But I enjoy the bond, and when anything hurts him or scares him or he just needs some affection, nursing does the trick.  Now, more than ever, breastfeeding’s role of immunity protection is also at the forefront of reasons to breastfeed.  And for this, I will continue to breastfeed as long as necessary to keep my baby healthy and comforted.
 
What are some of the benefits of breastfeeding through natural emergencies and disasters?  These can be weather-related, like blizzards and hurricanes, or it can be health-related such as during flu season or, like now, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Food safety. No need for access to clean water to prep formula in the event of water outages.
• Food security. No need to find a store that has formula in stock.  Some places, especially online, may increase prices as supply/demand needs increase.
• Comfort. When storms may displace families with evacuations, breastfeeding in a comfortable safe-space of familiarity is comforting for young ones.
• Immune protection. Breastmilk contains antibodies to protect your nursling against diseases that they may be exposed to.  In fact, if you become infected with an illness, the immune response triggered in your body transfers into the breastmilk and your baby will have the benefits of the protective antibodies, often keeping them healthy while everyone else around them may be sick. 

How can you safely nurse during natural emergencies?

• For weather-related emergencies, make sure you are taking care to keep yourself hydrated and well-fed so that you can continue producing enough milk for your baby. If you have a special nursing pillow or tools (like pumps) that you use regularly, be sure to pack them if you need to evacuate. 
• For health-related emergencies, the CDC recommends continuing to breastfeed as able.  You can wear a mask when in close contact with your baby to help reduce the spread of the illness.  If you are too sick to have the strength to breastfeed, or if you are hospitalized and/or away from the baby, pump whenever you can and have a caregiver give the baby the milk.  Wash your hands frequently, especially before breastfeeding and pumping.

 
My baby and I have been on our breastfeeding journey for a year and counting, and for as long as this pandemic is prominent (and for as long as we want thereafter!), I will continue to protect him by breastfeeding.  If you are in a position to continue breastfeeding or delay weaning until after the pandemic subsides, I would encourage you to do so.  And in the meantime, stay inside, stay healthy, and remember to wash your hands often!

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