This article is designed for anyone caring for a baby and affected by a disaster. If you are caring for an infant and have questions about the health effects of the disaster, please talk with a health care professional.
If your baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), check with the hospital to find out its disaster plan and where your baby will be sent in the event of a disaster.
DURING A DISASTER
Keep a copy of your and your baby's medical and immunization records along with contact information for your health care providers. Infants should continue to receive their scheduled vaccines. Local health departments can provide information about how to obtain these vaccines.
Packing Checklist
- Several pacifiers to help soothe your baby.
- Diapers (you will need about 70 a week for an infant).
- A blanket for your baby.
- A safe place for your baby to sleep, such as a portable crib.
- Extra clothes for your baby because these may be hard to find.
- Anything that could help soothe you and your baby. It can be loud in shelters and hospitals.
- Food for your baby.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Rectal thermometer and lubricant.
- Non-aspirin liquid pain reliever.
AFTER A DISASTER
Food
Eat several times throughout the day.
Try to choose foods that are high in protein and low in fat.
Do not eat spoiled food or any food you think may be spoiled.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information about food safety on its Web site.
Feeding Your Baby
In emergency situations, babies have a greater need for the disease-fighting factors and the comfort provided by breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is especially recommended during an emergency because it is naturally clean. Refrigeration, bottles, or water for preparing formula are not necessary.
Breastmilk is the best food for a baby during the first year of life. In emergencies, it's usually best for the baby if the mother can continue to breastfeed. If pre-prepared formula is unavailable or water supplies are unsafe, breastfeeding is especially wise. Breastmilk can be especially good for premature babies.
Breastfeeding can be calming for mother and baby.
While stress may affect milk supply, breastfeeding itself can help to reduce stress. When you breastfeed, your body creates hormones that are calming. Do your best to make breastfeeding time as relaxed as possible.
If breastfeeding has been interrupted, the La Leche League and the International Lactation Consultant Association provide information to help you start again.
Some women may find it impossible to continue to breastfeed. If this occurs, wean the baby as slowly as possible. This is important for both your health and the baby's. Hold and cuddle your baby as much as possible to reduce your baby's stress. In a disaster, pre-prepared formula is recommended because of concerns about water safety.
The La Leche League provides information about breastfeeding for women affected by disasters.
The International Lactation Consultant Association, (919) 861-5577, also provides help with breastfeeding and can refer you to a local consultant.
If you are staying in a shelter and need help with breastfeeding, ask the medical staff for assistance.
If breastfeeding is not possible, have a supply of single-serving, ready-to-feed formula. Ready-to-feed formula does not need mixing, and water should not be added to it. When using ready-to-feed formula, pour the needed amount into a bottle, and throw away the formula that the baby does not drink if you cannot refrigerate it. After it is opened, the formula must be refrigerated.
Water for Drinking, Cooking and Bathing
Listen to and follow public announcements. Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink or to use for cooking or bathing. If the water is not safe to use, follow local instructions to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect tap water for cooking, cleaning or bathing.
If tap water is not safe, boiling is the preferred way to kill harmful bacteria and parasites. To kill most organisms, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
If you can't boil unsafe tap water, you can treat it with chlorine tablets or iodine tablets. Follow the directions that come with the tablets. Keep treated water out of reach of children and toddlers.
If you have a baby and are not breastfeeding, ready-to-feed formula is recommended because of concerns about water safety. Do not use water treated with iodine or chlorine tablets to prepare powdered formulas.
Wash your hands with soap regularly or use hand sanitizer.
Drink at least eight glasses (8-ounce servings) of water every day.
Immunizations
Infants and children affected by a disaster should continue to receive their scheduled vaccines. Local health departments can provide information about how to obtain these vaccines. For information on recommended immunizations for infants, read the March of Dimes article.
Physical Relief and Care
Take a little time to lie down and put your feet up a few times a day. You and your baby need to rest often and avoid getting overheated.
If you recently gave birth, follow the directions given by your health care provider.
Stress: Mental/Emotional Relief
Caring for an infant can be stressful. Find someone to talk to a few times a day. The fact that you have someone to talk to is helpful all by itself.
Find a quiet spot to clear your mind of worries. Take deep breaths from your belly.
Health care providers can help you cope with stress or refer you to other professionals. You can also get help from:
- A clergy member
- The department of psychology at a local college or university
- The local community mental health center
Many new mothers have “the postpartum blues” or the "baby blues" after the birth of their baby. They may feel irritable, cry easily or feel sad. Symptoms usually peak 3-5 days after delivery and end by the 10th day after the baby's birth. If the symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, you may have postpartum depression. If you think you may have postpartum depression, call a health professional. This is a serious illness. Do not be afraid to ask for help or discuss your feelings.
If you ever feel like harming yourself or your baby, talk to a health care provider right away.
An emergency situation causes stress for a family. If you are concerned about your relationship and your safety, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233).
MORE HEALTH INFORMATION
- Rest often and do not get overheated.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- If you recently gave birth, follow any directions given by your health care provider.
- Read more health information on the Web site of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
POTENTIAL DANGERS
Flood Water in Streets and Buildings
Flood water may contain harmful substances. For instance, the water may contain bacteria that could cause serious disease. It's best if children avoid touching or walking in flood water.
If you do touch the water, use soap and clean water to wash the parts of your body that came in contact with it. Whenever possible, people who must come in contact with the water should wear protective clothing, such as gloves and boots.
Be careful not to swallow any flood water. Try to keep it away from your mouth. If you feel sick in any way, talk to a doctor or nurse right away.
Toxic Exposures
If you are worried that you and your baby may have been exposed to dangerous chemicals or substances, talk to a health care professional.
The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) offers free telephone counseling to families worried about toxic exposures to their babies. Call the toll-free number (866) 626-6847.
Returning to Your Home
Your state and local health or environmental departments can tell you about pollutants in your area.
FOR OTHER HELP
