When communities prepare for emergencies, the needs of infants can easily be overlooked. Yet during hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or extended power outages, feeding a baby safely can become much more difficult.
Planning ahead can make all the difference.
The Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) County Policy Adoption Toolkit helps counties include infant feeding in emergency plans before disaster strikes. It provides practical guidance for local governments, health departments, emergency managers, and community partners to work together and ensure families receive the support they need.
Emergency preparedness isn’t just about supplies, it’s about support systems. A coordinated plan helps communities respond quickly and consistently when every moment matters.
The toolkit helps communities:
- Include infant feeding in emergency plans.
- Clarify roles and responsibilities.
- Strengthen coordination across local partners.
- Support all families with evidence-based, family-centered care.
At Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities, we believe every community can take steps to become more prepared and more resilient. By planning for the youngest residents, communities can better protect families before, during, and after an emergency.
Explore the IYCF-E County Policy Adoption Toolkit to learn how your community can strengthen emergency preparedness and help ensure every infant has the support they need when it matters most.