母乳哺育是緊急情況下嬰兒安全餵養的第一道防線
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2011年8月26日
華盛頓特區 —東海岸艾琳颶風和其他自然災害如地震的準備，美國母乳哺育委員會（USBC）— 40多個國家聯合組成的組織，包括政府機構和衛生專業協會，提醒大眾和緊急救援人員，在緊急狀況下嬰幼兒和兒童特別容易受到傷害，並在緊急事件期間需要特別的考量。醫學專家建議應將主動支持與保護母乳哺育以及安全的嬰兒/幼兒餵養因應政策和做法列入。
USBC已發出—在緊急狀況下嬰幼兒餵養聲明，並立即成為聯邦，州和地方政府的政策。這個聲明結合了嬰幼兒在緊急狀況下的準備、因應和恢復期的規劃。建議主動支持與保護母乳哺育是在緊急狀況下嬰幼兒最安全的營養來源型式。聲明中還提供面臨自然或人為災害時照顧和保護母親和兒童必要的信息和指導方針。
母乳哺育提供不只有最安全的營養來源，也提供保護對抗許多流行的感染發生，包括伴隨著衛生條件差，擁擠的住房條件而來的破壞性的腹瀉。透過維持與嬰兒的親密，母乳哺餵帶給了母嬰雙方舒適、關懷和安全感。
Breastfeeding is the First Line of Defense for Safe Infant
Feeding During Emergencies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 26, 2011
Washington, DC—As the East Coast prepares for Hurricane Irene and other natural disasters such as earthquakes, the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)—a coalition of more than 40 national organizations, including government agencies and health professional associations—reminds the public and emergency responders that infants and children are especially vulnerable and need special consideration during emergencies. Medical experts recommend inclusion of the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding and safe infant/young child feeding in emergency preparedness policies and practices
USBC has issued a Statement on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies for immediate incorporation into federal, state, and local policy. This statement closes a gap in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery planning for infants and children. Recommendations are made to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding as the safest form of infant nutrition during emergencies. The statement also provides essential information and guidelines for the care and protection of mothers and children facing natural or man-made disasters.
Breastfeeding provides not only the safest source of nutrition, but also protection against the many prevalent infections that occur, including the devastating diarrhea that accompanies poor sanitation and crowded shelter conditions. By keeping infants close, breastfeeding provides comfort, care, and security for the mother-child pair.
In emergency situations, breastfeeding provides a critical safety net," says USBC Chair Jeanne Blankenship, MS, RD. "Research shows that infants are the most vulnerable in an emergency. Babies who are breastfed receive a safe, reliable food source that is full of anti-infective properties to protect them from disease."
The United States Breastfeeding Committee calls on all health care and emergency relief workers to assist women to breastfeed their infants during emergencies. USBC further urges prompt implementation of appropriate training and education for emergency preparedness and response workers on the support of breastfeeding.
This can include measures as simple as providing a safe,
semi-private area for women to breastfeed and receive counseling and peer support in large shelter environments, and helping women access the support of skilled lactation care providers on the emergency response team. The USBC statement includes additional guidelines; further information and resources on infant and young child feeding in emergencies can be found at www.usbreastfeeding.org/emergencies.