National breast-feeding Week is being observed this week. During this period, Jamaica joins the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and other advocates for breastfeeding such as WHO and UNICEF in emphasising the importance of breastfeeding at all times, especially in emergencies.

We live in a world where widespread emergencies are common and dislocate people. The vulnerable, such as infants and young children, are at the forefront, succumbing to morbidities and mortalities as a result of sustained conditions caused by various emergencies. During emergencies, safe water and general sanitation are threatened. These conditions are havens for disease which can lead to vomiting and diarrhoea. Infants and young children can quickly succumb to these conditions.

Breastfeeding is the one reliable and safe-feeding method to ensure optimum and safe nutrition during these emergency situations. In Jamaica, hurricanes are usually the national emergencies and they often result in dislocation for many families, forcing them to live in community shelters for extended periods. The solace for mothers of infants up to six months old is that in preparing for a hurricane, the only food they need is breast milk. This infant needs no water, no glucose, no fruit juice, no cereal, just mother's milk.

Older infants

For those infants older than six months and up to two years, mother should continue to give the safe and complete breast milk, complemented by 'table foods' prepared with great caution during this difficult period to prevent food and water-borne illnesses. Many challenges face the mother during this period, as she believes she may not be able to breastfeed successfully and also the temptation of not breastfeeding, as gifts of 'safe', ready-to-feed formulas are often offered by companies seeking to help in these emergency situations.

To support breastfeeding during emergencies, pre-planned measures of preparedness will assure mother that she can breastfeed and that support to ensure her success is available. These pre-planned national measures must include focus on the mother's need for security, priority access to food for her family, water, shelter and safe places to breastfeed.

Infant's comfort

Other emergencies which some families face, though not on a national scale, are fires, which also cause dislocation, stress to the mother and family including insecurities concerning breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can still be sustained and is encouraged in these situations for the safety, bonding and comfort of the infant. Well-thinking individuals wanting to assist in these difficult situations should not offer replacement feeds for the infant, but food and shelter or some sort of security for the mother so that breastfeeding can be sustained.

Continued breastfeeding is the best hedge against disaster. Let us join in the effort to protect this generation through optimum nutrition, starting with exclusive breastfeeding for six months, especially during periods of emergencies.

Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services. Email yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.