Durham, N.C. – The 2009 World Breastfeeding Week kicks off Saturday, August 1.  Breastfeeding is known to reduce ear and stomach infections in babies.  It also reduces food allergies, increases brain growth and development, and leads to a healthier weight as the child gets older.

“Breastfeeding is a lifeline in feeding babies in emergencies,” says Sarah Nahm, MPH, RD, LDN, nutritionist at the Durham County Health Department. “This is the message promoted by the 2009 World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7.”

As we well know in North Carolina, emergencies happen —hurricanes, flooding, power outages, pandemic flu and more— and the story is the same: breastfeeding saves lives.  Breastmilk is the one safe and secure source of food for babies, instantly available. There’s no need to worry about lack of refrigeration or safety of the water supply. Breastmilk is safe and ready to use.

Nahm stresses, “We can prevent situations like one that happened during Hurricane Katrina. A two-week old bottle-fed baby was stuck on a roof with her family for 5 days with no safe water. The mom could have breastfed, but did not even think about it. The baby died a few days after being rescued.”

Once an emergency strikes, a few simple measures will support breastfeeding. Mothers need to be secure, with priority access to food and water and a safe place to breastfeed with privacy where culturally required.

“We encourage all pregnant women to consider breastfeeding,” Ms. Nahm continues. “It gives such a health advantage, and also the safety advantage in emergencies. There are many resources available now for women who want to breastfeed. Check with your doctor, or you can call your County Health Department for information.”