The Senior Director of Breastfeeding Relations at Lansinoh Laboratories has created a checklist for breastfeeding mothers preparing for Hurricane Irene. Here is some of her advice:
- Keep a cooler of dry ice on hand just in case your electricity goes out and you have frozen milk stored in your freezer.
- Have extra batteries on hand in case your electricity goes out and you need to use your pump.
- Familiarize yourself with hand expression in case you don’t have batteries and need to pump. Remember that the baby is the best way to remove your milk, so even if you are predominantly a pumper and breastfeed sporadically in an emergency situation, you should focus on feeding the baby on demand. You can also use a manual pump.
As a breastfeeding mom of 3 who doesn’t live in an area where hurricanes occur, these tips never crossed my mind. I thought they might be helpful to others. Please stay safe! Those on the East Coast are in my thoughts and prayers!