When we created the program for the 2023 California Breastfeeding Summit, we had no idea the state would be devastated by flooding this month.
What we did know was that in a state as large as California, emergencies aren’t a matter of if but when. Depending on the year, regions can be devastated by fire, earthquakes, flooding, surprise snow storms or extreme heat throughout the year.
Aunchalee Palmquist of the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute and Lourdes Santaballa Mora of Alimentación Segura Infantil will present on the challenges of safe infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) at the 2023 Summit in January.
Even in 2022, our public agencies are not prepared for the unique needs of infants or children in emergency situations. The California Health and Human Services Emergency Resource Guide published on Jan. 4 makes no mention of pregnant or lactating individuals, chest/breastfed infants, or human milk-feeding.
The Centers for Disease Control has a robust toolkit filled with information and resources to ensure that children are fed safely when disaster strikes. Of course, people can’t use resources they don’t know about.
This is why we invited Aunchalee Palmquist of the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute and Lourdes Santaballa Mora of Alimentación Segura Infantil to present on the challenges of safe infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E). The team will also explore the CDC toolkit to make attendees aware of the full scope of resources available, so we can all work together to make sure our communities incorporate the recommendations in emergency preparedness practices. Both of these individuals are recognized IYCF-E experts with stories that will leave a lasting impression on you and inspire you to take action.
Registration for the Summit, which takes place entirely online, remains open and includes continuing education credits for qualified attendees. Click here for event information.