Wet Nursing in Emergencies

Abstract

It is often assumed that where infants cannot be breastfed by their own mothers, as is often the case in emergency situations, the second-best option is to use infant formula. However, wet nursing is usually a better option than infant formula. The wet nursing could be spontaneous or it could organized in advance. In many cases, the needs of infants who cannot be breastfed by their own mothers could be met with the help of lactating women in their area. In some cases banked human milk might meet the need, but in emergency situations it is not likely to be readily available when and where it is needed. Plans could be made by women’s groups to offer lactation services in their areas in emergency situations.