Background

In response to the Christchurch earthquake and to align with the World Health Assembly’s 2010 resolution on infant and young child feeding in emergencies* the Ministry initiated work on infant feeding as part of national emergency preparedness plans.

As a result of this work the Ministry has published advice for health practitioners, emergency planning and response staff, government and non-government organisations that have roles and responsibilities in feeding babies in an emergency eg infant formula manufacturers.

The Ministry of Health has also published guidance material for parents and caregivers on ‘feeding your baby in an emergency’.

This includes advice on breastfeeding, formula-feeding, supply of infant formula and feeding equipment in an emergency and a list of key contacts.

 

Infant feeding in emergencies resources

The Ministry has published the following four documents to provide advice on infant feeding in emergencies:

  • Position Statement: Infant feeding in an emergency for babies aged 0–12 months
  • Consumer resource for parents and caregivers: Feeding Your Baby in an Emergency: For babies aged 0–12 months

Download these at Feeding your baby during an emergency.

  • Roles and Responsibilities: Infant feeding in an emergency for babies aged 0–12 months
  • Guide for DHB Emergency Management Staff: Infant feeding in an emergency for babies aged 0–12 months

Download these at Infant Feeding in an Emergency.

 

* World Health Assembly Resolution 63.23 (2010) and its referenced guidance Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies: Operational guidance for emergency relief staff and programme managers (Version 2.1), February 2007.