(Carlene Gribble, Western Sydney University, Michelle Hamrosy, Australian National University and Nina Jane Chad, University of Sydney)
The bushfires currently raging in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania have focused attention on the fire risks facing Australian families in the coming summer months. Although children do not understand the nature of emergencies like forest fires, floods and cyclones, they and their mothers are still affected by them. During natural disasters, electricity, clean water and food supplies may be disrupted and problems such as gastroenteritis are common. At such times, breastfeeding provides infants with safe food, water and protection from infection, as well as a sense of comfort and security. But mothers may have difficulty breastfeeding during emergencies, and they may find that stress can affect their milk supply. Some mothers stop breastfeeding their babies even if they don’t plan to, and even if weaning is a particularly bad time during a disaster.
The good news is that stress does not reduce milk supply, and while there are additional challenges to breastfeeding during an emergency, mothers can breastfeed even in the worst disasters.