Infant Feeding During Emergencies Guide

Plan safe infant feeding during outages, evacuations, and water emergencies with clean supplies, reliable guidance, and flexible options.

Support the usual feeding method

If breastfeeding, continue when feasible and seek lactation or medical support when needed. Stress does not automatically stop milk production. Keep the parent hydrated and supported, and plan privacy, rest, and safe transport.

Choose safer formula options

For formula-fed infants, ready-to-feed formula is useful when safe water or cleaning facilities are limited. Use the formula appropriate for the infant and follow label and healthcare instructions exactly. Never dilute it or use homemade formula.

Use safe water and clean hands

Follow public-health water notices. Prepare formula only with water authorities identify as safe. Wash hands before preparation and feeding; when soap and safe water are unavailable, use appropriate sanitizer and keep it away from children.

Clean equipment safely

Wash bottles, nipples, pump parts, cups, and feeding items using safe water and the recommended method. Discard nipples, pacifiers, and feeding items that contacted floodwater. Single-use supplies can reduce cleaning demands.

Pack and rotate supplies

Include feeding supplies, diapers, wipes, medicines, thermometer, clothing, carrier, health records, and contacts. Rotate formula and food by date. Contact a pediatric clinician for feeding difficulty, fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness, or other concerns.

Quick checklist

• Save relevant emergency, utility, and healthcare contacts.
• Keep required supplies accessible and check dates regularly.
• Practice the plan with household members and caregivers.
• Follow current directions from qualified local authorities.

Frequently asked questions

When should this plan be reviewed?

Review it at least twice a year and after a move, household change, medical change, equipment change, or local emergency.

What takes priority during a real event?

Current directions from emergency responders, utilities, public-health officials, and treating clinicians take priority over general guidance.

Sources

CDC infant and young-child feeding in emergencies guidance and CDC emergency kit guidance for infants and children.