By Rebekah Scroggy, RN BSN IBCLC
With wildfires in California and hurricanes devastating North Carolina, many parents worry about how to safely feed their infants during emergencies. To help families prepare, I sat down with Love Anderson, director of Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities. Love helped establish the North Carolina Safe Infant Feeding Team, which is doing vital work to support families during crises. I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you!
Why Safe Infant Feeding in Emergencies Matters
You might wonder: Why is safe infant feeding so critical in emergencies? Love explained it best:
“Over half of infant deaths worldwide happen during an emergency. The time babies are most likely to die is during a crisis.”
That’s a heartbreaking reality. However, there are ways to keep your family safe. Love emphasized that one of the best protections is keeping babies with their parents whenever possible.
Babywearing: A Simple Yet Essential Tool
An easy way to keep your baby close and secure during emergencies is babywearing. Having a baby carrier readily accessible in an emergency kit can make evacuations easier and provide comfort for both parent and child. But babywearing isn’t just useful during disasters—it’s also a practical tool for everyday activities like grocery shopping or attending crowded events.
If you’re unsure about babywearing or need help choosing a carrier, Love suggests:
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Looking at photos of people with a similar body type to see how different carriers fit.
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Attending a new parents’ group or asking friends for recommendations.
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Finding a local babywearing group for hands-on guidance.
Beyond carriers, Love’s #1 tip for parenthood—especially in emergencies—is to build your community. She stresses the importance of having direct phone numbers for your support network:
“When the internet was slow, and social media wasn’t working, the only thing we could rely on was phone calls.”
Breastfeeding in Emergencies
If you are breastfeeding during an emergency, the most important things to remember are:
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Stay hydrated as much as possible.
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Continue breastfeeding—your milk remains safe even under stress!
A common myth Love wants to debunk:
“Your milk doesn’t ‘turn sour’ due to stress. Even if you’re not eating perfectly, your body can still produce beautiful, nourishing milk.”
Formula Feeding During Disasters
For families who use formula, safe storage is a major concern. After disasters, donated formula often goes bad because relief centers lack temperature-controlled storage.
Love’s recommendation? Use ready-to-feed formula whenever possible to reduce the risk of bacteria exposure. If that’s unavailable and breastfeeding isn’t an option, informal milk sharing may be worth considering.
What Is Informal Milk Sharing?
Informal milk sharing involves receiving donated breast milk from someone in your community. This practice has been around for generations, but safety concerns have been raised in recent years.
To promote safer sharing, Love’s team has developed disclosure forms that include:
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The donor’s name & contact information
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Basic family medical history
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Information on medications, caffeine, or dairy intake
These forms also provide educational resources so families can make informed decisions about using donated milk.
Finding Help During Emergencies
If you find yourself in a crisis and need support, Love suggests seeking out:
🏥 Local hospitals or birthing centers
🥛 WIC offices
👩⚕️ Community lactation consultants
She shared a powerful story from Hurricane Helene—a father of a baby and a toddler lost his wife when she ran back inside for their diaper bag. Their house was swept away. In the aftermath, he instinctively went to the Asheville birth center, the place where they had given birth.
Stories like this highlight the immense trauma families endure during disasters—and why community-based support systems are crucial.
Other tips for parents to know
For parents, especially those with children under three, having an emergency kit is essential. Love recommends including:
✅ A baby carrier
✅ Unscented bleach (for sanitizing infant feeding gear)
✅ A mesh bag (for drying baby bottles or pump parts)
✅ A bottle brush
✅ A container for washing feeding supplies
Emergency Infant Feeding & Sanitation Guide
Sanitizing Water for Safe Drinking
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Use unscented household bleach (5.25–8.25% sodium hypochlorite).
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For clear water: Add 2 drops per quart (8 drops per gallon).
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For cloudy water: Add 4 drops per quart (16 drops per gallon). Filter if possible.
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Stir well, let sit for 30 minutes, then check for a slight chlorine smell. If absent, repeat and wait another 15 minutes.
Sterilizing Baby Bottles & Utensils
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Wash items with soap and water; rinse thoroughly.
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Mix 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach with 1 gallon of water.
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Submerge items for 2 minutes, ensuring no air bubbles remain.
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Remove and air dry—do not rinse; any bleach residue will evaporate.
Watch the interview here 💙 and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more expert interviews and insights on infant feeding & emergency preparedness!
Support the Work in Western North Carolina
The recovery in Western North Carolina is far from over. Love and her team estimate it will take at least two years for many areas to return to normal. Some communities are still without water or electricity. Their relief efforts rely entirely on donations.
👉 Follow their work on Instagram: @ncbfc_safeteam
👉 Learn more through their Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ncbfcsafeteam