Maintaining Breastfeeding during Disasters and the Use of Innovative Technologies


Abstract views: 4 / PDF downloads: 1

Authors

  • Ayça TAŞÇI
  • Filiz ASLANTEKİN ÖZÇOBAN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18179960

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, Breast Milk, Disaster, Innovative Technology, Natural

Abstract

Disaster situations pose serious risks to infant, child, and maternal health, particularly negatively      affecting nutritional conditions. During this period, continuing breastfeeding is of vital importance due to its safe, accessible, and immunity-supporting properties. However, stress experienced in disaster settings, poor hygiene, incorrect feeding practices, and uncontrolled formula donations are among the key issues threatening the continuity of breastfeeding. This article addresses the importance of protecting breastfeeding in disaster situations and examines evidence-based approaches and innovative technologies that support the continuation of breastfeeding. The contributions of digital health applications, remote breastfeeding counseling, portable milk expression systems, and data-driven monitoring technologies to protecting maternal and infant health are evaluated. In conclusion, supporting breastfeeding and the effective use of innovative technologies in disaster management emerge as important strategies for reducing infant mortality and infection risks.

Author Biographies

Ayça TAŞÇI

 

 

Filiz ASLANTEKİN ÖZÇOBAN

 

 

References

Abir, E. (2021). Breastfeeding quantity estimator (United States Patent US20210038151A1). https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210038151A1/en?q=(breastfeeding)&oq=breastfeeding+

Açıklamalı Afet Yönetimi Terimleri Sözlüğü. (2024). Geliş tarihi 25 Ocak 2024, gönderen https://www.afad.gov.tr/aciklamali-afet-yonetimi-terimleri-sozlugu

Adeoya, A. A., Sasaki, H., Fuda, M., Okamoto, T., & Egawa, S. (2022). Child Nutrition in Disaster: A Scoping Review. The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine, 256(2), 103–118. https://doi.org/10.1620/tjem.256.103

Akerson, D., & Akerson, G. (2022). Nursing garment (United States Patent US11399577B2). https://patents.google.com/patent/US11399577B2/en?q=(breastfeeding)&oq=breastfeeding+

Anbarci, N., Escaleras, M., & Register, C. A. (2005). Earthquake fatalities: The interaction of nature and political economy. Journal of Public Economics, 89(9), 1907–1933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2004.08.002

Awaliyah, S. N., Rachmawati, I. N., & Rahmah, H. (2019). Breastfeeding self-efficacy as a dominant factor affecting maternal breastfeeding satisfaction. BMC Nursing, 18(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-019-0359-6

Ayoya, M. A., Golden, K., Ngnie-Teta, I., Moreaux, M. D., Mamadoultaibou, A., Koo, L., Boyd, E., Beauliere, J. M., Lesavre, C., & Marhone, J. P. (2013). Protecting and improving breastfeeding practices during a major emergency: Lessons learnt from the baby tents in Haiti. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 91(8), 612. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.12.113936

Berhanu, N., Abrha, H., Ejigu, Y., & Woldemichael, K. (2016). Knowledge, experiences and training needs of health professionals about disaster preparedness and response in southwest Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 26(5), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v26i5.3

Bernstein, K., Gonrong, P., Shallat, S., Seidel, B., & Leider, J. (2022). Creating a Culture of Breastfeeding Support and Continuity of Care in Central Illinois. Health Promotion Practice, 23(1_suppl), 108S–117S. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221111180

Blyth, R., Creedy, D. K., Dennis, C.-L., Moyle, W., Pratt, J., & De Vries, S. M. (2002). Effect of Maternal Confidence on Breastfeeding Duration: An Application of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Theory. Birth, 29(4), 278–284. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536X.2002.00202.x

Breastfeeding. (2024). Geliş tarihi 25 Ocak 2024, gönderen https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Your Baby. (2023). Geliş tarihi 26 Ocak 2024, gönderen https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/breastfeeding-your-baby

Calderon-Rodriguez, C., & Noble, L. (2022). 23—Infant Feeding After a Disaster. İçinde R. A. Lawrence & R. M. Lawrence (Ed.), Breastfeeding (Ninth Edition) (ss. 695–703). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-68013-4.00023-7

CDC. (2023a, Mart 3). Common Questions about Infant Feeding During Emergencies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/emergencies-infant-feeding/faqs.html

CDC. (2023b, Nisan 17). Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm

Curan, G. R. F., do Nascimento, O. P., Bergamo, J. A. de O., Koga, C. A. de L., Silva, R. I. A. e, Ferreira, D. R., Denobi, C. B. L., Castral, T. C., Fonseca, L. M. M., & Rossetto, E. G. (2024). A Mobile App to Promote Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy in Preterm Infants’ Mothers: Development and Validation. Clinical Nursing Research, 33(1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738231214582

Feitosa, A. L. F., & Torres, K. C. de C. (2023). Breastfeeding in emergencies and natural disasters: What health professionals need to know. Revista CEFAC, 25, e10023. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/202325610023

Gertosio, C., Meazza, C., Pagani, S., & Bozzola, M. (2016). Breastfeeding and its gamut of benefits. Minerva Pediatrica, 68(3), 201–212.

Giusti, A., Marchetti, F., Zambri, F., Pro, E., Brillo, E., & Colaceci, S. (2022). Breastfeeding and humanitarian emergencies: The experiences of pregnant and lactating women during the earthquake in Abruzzo, Italy. International Breastfeeding Journal, 17(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00483-8

Gribble, K. D., & Berry, N. J. (2011). Emergency preparedness for those who care for infants in developed country contexts. International Breastfeeding Journal, 6(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-6-16

Gribble, K. D., McGrath, M., MacLaine, A., & Lhotska, L. (2011). Supporting breastfeeding in emergencies: Protecting women’s reproductive rights and maternal and infant health. Disasters, 35(4), 720–738. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2011.01239.x

Gyamfi, A., O’Neill, B., Henderson, W. A., & Lucas, R. (2021). Black/African American Breastfeeding Experience: Cultural, Sociological, and Health Dimensions Through an Equity Lens. Breastfeeding Medicine, 16(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2020.0312

Harville, E. W., Beitsch, L., Uejio, C. K., Sherchan, S., & Lichtveld, M. Y. (2021). Assessing the effects of disasters and their aftermath on pregnancy and infant outcomes: A conceptual model. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 62, 102415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102415

Hipgrave, D. B., Assefa, F., Winoto, A., & Sukotjo, S. (2012). Donated breast milk substitutes and incidence of diarrhoea among infants and young children after the May 2006 earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java. Public Health Nutrition, 15(2), 307–315. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980010003423

Hirani, S. A. A. (2019, Fall). Facilitators and Barriers to Breastfeeding Practices of Internally Displaced Mothers Residing in Disaster Relief Camps in Pakistan: A Critical Ethnography. ERA. https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-fctv-ah65

Hirani, S. A. A., Richter, S., Salami, B. O., & Vallianatos, H. (2019). Breastfeeding in Disaster Relief Camps: An Integrative Review of Literature. Advances in Nursing Science, 42(2), E1. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANS.0000000000000231

Hirani, S. A. A., Richter, S., Salami, B., & Vallianatos, H. (2023). Sociocultural Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers During Natural Disasters: A Critical Ethnography in Rural Pakistan. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 10, 23333936221148808. https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936221148808

Hwang, C. H., Iellamo, A., & Ververs, M. (2021). Barriers and challenges of infant feeding in disasters in middle- and high-income countries. International Breastfeeding Journal, 16, 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-021-00398-w

Khajehaminian, M., Boroujeni, S. M. H., Ghanbari, V., & Delkhosh, M. (2019). Breastfeeding in Disasters: A reminder for policymakers. Journal of Disaster and Emergency Research. https://doi.org/10.18502/jder.v2i2.1514

Mack, A., O’Donnell, M., Henning, A., & Bernstein, S. L. (2024). Development of a hospital-academic collaboration to implement an interprofessional telehealth breastfeeding support group. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 38(1), 172–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2023.2240851

Marshall, J., Wiltshire, J., Delva, J., Bello, T., & Masys, A. J. (2020). Natural and Manmade Disasters: Vulnerable Populations. İçinde A. J. Masys, R. Izurieta, & M. Reina Ortiz (Ed.), Global Health Security: Recognizing Vulnerabilities, Creating Opportunities (ss. 143–161). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23491-1_7

Mazhin, S. A., Farrokhi, M., Noroozi, M., Roudini, J., Hosseini, S. A., Motlagh, M. E., Kolivand, P., & Khankeh, H. (2021). Worldwide disaster loss and damage databases: A systematic review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 10, 329. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1525_20

Naser, W. N., & Saleem, H. B. (2018). Emergency and disaster management training; knowledge and attitude of Yemeni health professionals- a cross-sectional study. BMC Emergency Medicine, 18(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-018-0174-5

Ratnayake Mudiyanselage, S., Davis, D., Kurz, E., & Atchan, M. (2022). Infant and young child feeding during natural disasters: A systematic integrative literature review. Women and Birth, 35(6), 524–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.12.006

Silva, M. M., Penha, J. C. da, Barbosa, I. C. F. J., Carneiro, C. T., Borges, J. W. P., & Bezerra, M. A. R. (2020). Construction and validation of educational technology to promote breastfeeding in the neonatal period. Escola Anna Nery, 25, e20200235.

Sinha, B., Chowdhury, R., Sankar, M. J., Martines, J., Taneja, S., Mazumder, S., Rollins, N., Bahl, R., & Bhandari, N. (2015). Interventions to improve breastfeeding outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatrica, 104(S467), 114–134. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.13127

Su, T., Han, X., Chen, F., Du, Y., Zhang, H., Yin, J., Tan, X., Chang, W., Ding, Y., Han, Y., & Cao, G. (2013). Knowledge Levels and Training Needs of Disaster Medicine among Health Professionals, Medical Students, and Local Residents in Shanghai, China. PLOS ONE, 8(6), e67041. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0067041

Sulaiman, Z., Mohamad, N., Tengku, I. T. A., Johari, N., & Nik, H. N. H. (2020). Infant feeding concerns in times of natural disaster: Lessons learned from the 2014 flood in Kelantan, Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 25(3), 625–630. https://doi.org/10.3316/ielapa.208799520144986

Tas, F., & Cakir, M. (2022). Nurses’ knowledge levels and preparedness for disasters: A systematic review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 80, 103230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103230

Thurston, A. M., Stöckl, H., & Ranganathan, M. (2021). Natural hazards, disasters and violence against women and girls: A global mixed-methods systematic review. BMJ Global Health, 6(4), e004377. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004377

Yorulmaz, D. S., & Mumcu, H. (2021). Review of Theses in the Field of Nursing on Disasters Conducted in Turkey between the years 2000 and 2020. Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Nursing Sciences, 13, 851–857. https://doi.org/10.5336/nurses.2020-80070

МАНЗЕР, Д. Р., РУЛЕН, А., СТИВЕН, М. Д., ВЮСС, Х., ИПАРС, Я., & ТРАН, К. (2014). Portion-controlling feeding system and method involving usage of capsules (Patent RU2533004C2). https://patents.google.com/patent/RU2533004C2/en?q=(Portion+Control+Feeding+System+and+Capsule+Use)&oq=Portion+Control+Feeding+System+and+Capsule+Use

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Infant feeding in disasters and emergencies, breastfeeding and other options. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/DisasterFactSheet6-2020.pdf

Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

TAŞÇI , A., & ASLANTEKİN ÖZÇOBAN , F. (2025). Maintaining Breastfeeding during Disasters and the Use of Innovative Technologies . GEVHER NESIBE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES, 10(3), 299–317. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18179960

Issue

Section

Articles