In today’s unpredictable world, it’s essential to be prepared for emergencies—especially when it comes to infant feeding. Breastfeed Durham’s COO, Love Anderson, sat down with Rebekah Scroggy, RN BSN IBCLC of “Ceres Chill” to share valuable insights on how to safely manage infant feeding during crises. The latest Ceres Chill video and blog post provide valuable insights on how to safely manage infant feeding during crises. Whether you’re facing a natural disaster or other emergencies, this interview contains expert tips and tools to keep your baby nourished, including breastmilk storage solutions and practical advice on feeding in challenging conditions.
Love was hands-on during the devastation in North Carolina in 2024, and saw firsthand the struggles that parents with young children faced. In the interview with Rebekah, she shares what parents can do to better prepare for emergencies, and what to keep in mind if you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding. These might be things that you’re already doing (like having an emergency kit) or things that you haven’t even thought of – like having a baby carrier to transport your baby when the streets are unsafe to walk on.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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
- Use unscented household bleach (5.25–8.25% sodium hypochlorite).
- For clear water: Add 2 drops per quart (8 drops per gallon).
- For cloudy water: Add 4 drops per quart (16 drops per gallon). Filter if possible.
- 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
- Wash items with soap and water; rinse thoroughly.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach with 1 gallon of water.
- Submerge items for 2 minutes, ensuring no air bubbles remain.
- Remove and air dry—do not rinse; any bleach residue will evaporate.
Check out the video here for a deeper dive, and read the full blog post here to learn how to keep your little one safe and well-fed when it matters most!