Formula feeding in emergencies

Providing aid that assists infants in emergencies is challenging. Donations and indiscriminate distributions of infant formula are common in emergencies and result in increased morbidity and mortality through decreased breastfeeding rates. Such distributions also do not support the survival of infants for whom breastfeeding is not possible because they rarely provide the other resources necessary to formula feed. Instruments exist to guide the appropriate delivery of aid to infants and young children and include: the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, the Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies and the Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. In an emergency, action should be taken to prevent donations of infant formula and the inappropriate distribution of infant formula. Where infants are not breastfed, options for obtaining breastmilk for the infant via wet nursing or relactation should be explored before a decision is made to support formula feeding. Supporting formula feeding involves providing the caregivers of infants with all of the resources necessary to formula feed including infant formula, water, fuel, feeding and preparation utensils, education and medical supervision for as long as the infant requires it. Breastfeeding women should be supported to exclusively breastfeed their young infants and to continue breastfeeding after the introduction of complementary foods. Governments should develop emergency preparedness plans that include support for breastfeeding prior to an emergency as well as an appropriate emergency response.