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Breastfeeding Amidst Crisis

28 July 2024

Breastfeeding during stressful and anxious periods, such as a war or a pandemic, gives the best protection and comfort to both you and your baby. In times of crisis, breast milk remains the purest and most secure source of nourishment. It is readily available at the right temperature, boosts the immune system, and protects from illnesses. Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact can also have a positive effect on you, as they reduce stress and tension and give a sense of control.

Navigating emergencies that arise from a war, a natural disaster or an outbreak of a pandemic presents significant challenges for everyone, and particularly for parents of infants.

Keep breastfeeding in emergencies

Maintaining a breastfeeding routine in stressful times is a crucial means of preserving the mental and physical well-being of both you and your baby. In emergency situations, breast milk remains the purest and most secure source of nourishment, and therefore ensures nutritional security.

The benefits of breastfeeding, especially in emergency situations

  • High nutritional value

    Breast milk is tailored to the infant’s nutritional needs.

  • Readily available

    Breast milk is always readily available at the right temperature, and there is no need to mix it with water, which may be contaminated or unavailable.

  • Strengthening the immune system

    Breast milk provides protection against illnesses, particularly diarrhea and respiratory diseases, and boosts the immune system.

  • Reducing stress and tension

    Breastfeeding helps reduce stress and tension as the hormones produced in breastfeeding have a soothing effect and give a sense of control.

  • Preserving milk

    Consistent breastfeeding helps maintain the milk production. If you are unable to breastfeed for a short period of time, manually pumping or using a breast pump is crucial for maintaining the milk flow.

  • Skin-to-skin contact

    Even without breastfeeding, creates a sense of tranquility and security for both you and your baby, particularly during times of stress, and helps maintain the milk production.

Note

Note

A sudden pause of the breastfeeding can lead to complications, including breast congestion, inflammations other effects.

The impact of stress and anxiety on maternal milk

  • It is important to keep in mind that the process of milk production is unaffected by stressful situations. The process of milk production will continue as long as you attach the baby's mouth to the breast. The milk release may be affected, but only temporarily. Skin-to-skin contact and the suction motion help stimulate milk release.
  • No need to worry, the quality and composition of breast milk remain unaffected by anxiety, panic, or stress.
  • Even if you eat less than usual or your nutrition is unbalanced in times of stress and anxiety, you can keep breastfeeding.
  • Breastfeeding is particularly important, even in less favorable environments. For example, in low-hygiene settings like shelters and crowded areas.
  • In times of emergency, the risk of the spread of epidemics is higher. Therefore, it is important that you continue to breastfeed to protect from illnesses.
  • There is a general consensus in the medical community that in situations of epidemic outbreaks, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks.

Tip

Tip

In times of security tensions, it is recommended to set up a comfortable space in the residential protected room or the communal shelter, with a comfortable sitting area, drinking water, wet wipes and tasty and healthy food (fresh or dried fruits, nuts, almonds and so on).

Tipat Halav clinics (Family Health Centers) provide breastfeeding support anytime, anywhere, through a hotline at *5400 extension 9.

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