In emergencies, including natural disasters and armed conflict, breastfeeding and human milk feeding are important strategies for increasing infant and child survival. Appropriate and timely support of infant and young child feeding in emergencies saves lives.¹

It is rarely in the best interest of the lactating parent or the child to cease breastfeeding in case of disease outbreaks or illnesses affecting lactating parents or children.²

Following a disaster, one of the first things that are donated is חלב אם substitutes –often with the best of intentions, but this can have a negative impact on the health of mothers and children, even when clean water and sanitary conditions exist. Infants who are not breastfed are vulnerable to infection and to developing diarrhea. These substitutes may put infants’ lives at risk.³

הנקה רטובה or human donor milksharing are recognized options for feeding infants and young children in emergencies and disasters. Unfortunately, despite the uniquely complex qualities and functions of human milk, as a food, רִקמָה, and/or therapeutic product, the relevant regulatory frameworks for donor human milksharing and wet nursing are practically non-existent⁴ and myths prevail.⁵

Identifying key decision-makers at the household, community, and local health-facility level who influence infant and young child feeding practices is crucial information when determining the priorities for action and response in emergencies. A parent-to-parent milksharing network can be vital for the fast mobilization of aid when and where needed.⁶

חום בטיפול חלב אם נשאר אופציה בכל אזור שנפגע במידת הצורך.
How do I protect my breastmilk during a power outage?

הבא: משאבים עבור תמיכה

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1. Melissa Bartick et al. 2024. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Position Statement – Breastfeeding in Emergencies. ↩︎
2. ארגון הבריאות העולמי (ארגון הבריאות העולמי). 2004. עקרונות מנחים להאכלת תינוקות וילדים צעירים בשעת חירום ↩︎
3. Veronica Riemer. ארגון הבריאות העולמי. 2009. The importance of breastfeeding during emergencies. Podcast ↩︎
4. ג'ולי פ סמית', אלסנדרו איאלמו. 2020. Wet nursing and donor human milksharing in emergencies and disasters: ביקורת ↩︎
5. למעשה קנדה - Infant Feeding in Emergencies ↩︎
6. האקדמיה האמריקאית לרפואת ילדים. 2020. האכלת תינוקות באסונות ובמצבי חירום ↩︎