As I read about World Breastfeeding Week, it is clear that in the United States we do not have the same dire concerns as other parts of the world regarding response during emergencies, but we are not safe from all natural disasters.  World Breastfeeding Week 2009 is designed to draw attention to the role that breastfeeding plays in reducing the impacts on children and babies during worldwide emergencies.

 Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world.  They could be anything from cyclones in Mynamar, earthquakes in Peru, or civil unrest in Uganda.  Much closer to home is the flooding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina that left people stranded for entirely too long.  These types of tragedies leave people without access to food, clean water, and other necessities for survival.  Without these things, children and babies are particularly vulnerable to dehydration, disease, illness, and potentially death. 

Breastfeeding is a means of protecting the most vulnerable during emergencies.  Most importantly we must provide support and encouragement throughout our world communities for breastfeeding before disaster occurs.  World Breastfeding Week is being celebrated in more than 120 countries this week.  How do you plan to celebrate?

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