Breastfeeding & Donating in a Crisis

If you are like me, you may be wondering how to help when people, particularly mothers and children are displaced, are in transit and are refugees. It’s intuitive and true that infants and young children are so vulnerable in a crisis. It is so heartbreaking.

This resource was motivated by the crisis in Ukraine, though it applies to humanitarian crises around the world. 

It may surprise you, that in many instances, breastfeeding creates food security for infants right here at home. In a crisis, Infants who are NOT breastfeeding are particularly vulnerable and need special help. Think about:

• How hard it is to safely prepare formula.

• Scare availability of clean water. It is almost impossible to adequately clean bottles and nipples.

• Cleaning supplies themselves are scarce.

In case you are wondering how to help, Donations of breast milk substitutes like infant formula, are NOT helpful. Send money to a reputable organization. They make sure it is working at a local level.

The job of the local health agencies is to provide knowledgeable support:

• First, promote, protect, and support exclusive breastfeeding that continues to 2 years, with complementary foods from 6 months. This is what Health Canada and the World Health Organization also promote.

• For parents partially breastfeeding their baby, they likely need support to build their supply. They may need some formula in the meanwhile.

• Re-lactation can be supported, and some places may encourage wet nursing.

• If parents are fully giving their baby formula, or need formula, the local agencies are responsible to:

  • Provide infant formula in the local language.

  • Be culturally sensitive.

  • Provide appropriate types of formulas for localized circumstances.

  • Encourage cup feeding because cups are easier to clean. Yes, parents can even learn how to cup feed a newborn.

Let’s help these babies with our hearts, and with wisdom. Want to learn more? Check out these links:

• Support Safe Infant Feeding in Emergencies

• Infant and Young Child Feeding:

Sonya Boersma MScN, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Care © 2022