Establish safe spaces that protect, support & promote optimal IYCF practices

VEHA - Field Implementation Guidance

Welcome

Nutrition

Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies

Support for appropriate IYCF in Emergencies

Establish safe spaces that protect, support & promote optimal IYCF practices

Context

Overview

Environmental factors causing/contributing to the needs and affecting the humanitarian activity

There is a common misconception that in emergencies, many mothers can no longer breastfeed adequately because of stress or inadequate nutrition. Concern for these mothers and their infants can fuel donations of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) such as infant formula, which results in making children sick through contaminated water and polluting the air, water and soil through different solid waste disposal methods.

Although stress can temporarily interfere with the flow of breastmilk, it is not likely to inhibit breastmilk production, provided mothers and infants remain together and are supported to initiate and continue breastfeeding.

It is also important to note some women cannot breastfeed due to physiological issues in the woman or child), some children are separated from mother/unaccompanied, some children may have been on formula prior to the emergency and mother is unable to relactate (relactation is not easy).

Implications

Gender, age, disability and HIV/AIDS implications

Women need safe spaces and support to be able to re-establish breastfeeding.

Impacts

Environmental Impact Categories

Air pollution
Soil pollution
Water pollution
Cultural acceptance
Impact on wellbeing / mental health
Water depletion

Summary of Impacts

Summary of Potential environmental impacts

Potential air, water, and soil pollution and disease spread from unnecessary solid waste from unnecessary breast milk substitutes.
Disease vectors harboured in solid waste.
Potential spread of disease from the use of polluted water in breastmilk substitutes.

Impact detail

Detailed potential environmental impact information

Unnecessary and unwanted donations of breast milk substitutes, given in the mistaken belief that malnourished women can no longer breastfeed, cause unnecessary pollution. This includes air pollution from burning solid waste; water and soil pollution from solid waste piling, blocking drains and watercourses and leachates as waste decomposes; as well as disease spread from unnecessary solid waste from unnecessary breast milk substitutes.
Disease vectors are also often harboured in solid waste.
The potential spread of disease from the use of polluted water in breastmilk substitutes.

Guidance

Summary

Summary of environmental activities

Protect, support, and promote exclusive breastfeeding of infants
Create safe spaces with counseling for pregnant and lactating women
Ensure babies receive no water or food other than through breastmilk for the first six months of life
Provide skilled support to breastfeeding women
Provision of adequate fluids and food for mothers

Support mothers with shelter, food, security, and water and sanitation, enabling mother-to-mother support, providing specific space for skilled breastfeeding counseling and support to maintain or re-establish lactation.
Provide mental and emotional support to traumatised and depressed mothers.

Detail

Detailed guidance for implementing suggested environmental activities

Protect, support, and promote early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding of infants, including the establishment of ‘safe spaces’ with counseling for pregnant and lactating women.
No food or liquid other than breast milk, not even water, is needed to meet an infant’s nutritional and fluid requirements during the first six months of life. The valuable protection from the infection that breastfeeding confers is all the more important in environments without safe water supply and sanitation.

Therefore, the creation of a protective environment and the provision of skilled support to breastfeeding women are essential interventions.
Mothers who lack food or who are malnourished can still breastfeed. Provision of adequate fluids and food for mothers must be a priority as it will help to protect their health and well-being as well as that of their young children. Basic interventions to facilitate breastfeeding include prioritising mothers with young children for shelter, food, security, and water and sanitation, enabling mother-to-mother support, providing specific space for skilled breastfeeding counseling and support to maintain or re-establish lactation. Traumatised and depressed mothers may have difficulty responding to their infants and require particular mental and emotional support.

Lessons Learnt

Lessons from past experiences

Nutritional advice given in Darfur included training and demonstration on personal hygiene and on disease transmission from the addition of water to babies’ milk. Support was given on improving mothers’ nutrition and fluid intake and breastfeeding support. Infant sicknesses reduced.