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Feeding in an emergency
At home
In an emergency (hurricane, flood, power outage or unsafe water), feeding your baby safely is a priority. Breast milk is the safest option.
What to do
- Keep breastfeeding, and more often. Frequent breastfeeding keeps up your supply, even under stress.
- If tap water is not safe, use ready-to-feed formula: it needs no water.
- Powdered formula: use bottled water. If there is none, boil water for 1 minute (3 minutes if you live above 6,500 feet) and let it cool.
- Babies under 2 months, premature, or with a weak immune system: mix the powder with water that is still very hot (about 5 minutes after boiling, at least 158°F / 70°C). Then cool the bottle under cold running water and test a few drops on your wrist.
- Measure exactly: water first, then the level scoops of powder the can says.
- Use formula within 1 hour of starting the feeding and within 2 hours of making it. Throw out leftovers. With no refrigerator, make one feeding at a time.
- With no safe water to wash bottles, use disposable cups, a new one for each feeding.
- Wash your hands with safe water and soap, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
What not to do
- Never water down formula to make it last longer.
- Don't make homemade formula, and don't use cow, goat, almond or evaporated milk before 12 months.
- Don't use toddler formula for babies under 1 year.
- Don't heat bottles in the microwave.
- Don't use floodwater or untreated well water.
- Don't use breast milk bought online; only from a milk bank.
