Infant and young child feeding during natural disasters: A systematic integrative literature review

Sociocultural Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers During Natural Disasters: A Critical Ethnography in Rural Pakistan

“…First-time mothers and young mothers who had limited knowledge about breastfeeding during the natural disaster were not only seeking breastfeeding advice from experienced women in their immediate social network but were also reliant on support from them to fulfill their gender roles and responsibilities. Previous studies that were undertaken with breastfeeding mothers in the context of natural disasters also suggest that social support in the form of constant advice from informal social networks is vital to boost maternal confidence surrounding infant feeding practices during natural disasters ( MirMohamadalile et al, 2019 ; Mudiyanselage et al, 2022 ).…”

“…During the period of disaster and displacement, disruption in the social support network is reported to affect displaced mothers’ functioning, capabilities, agency, autonomy, and independence surrounding breastfeeding ( Gribble et al, 2011 ; Hirani & Olson, 2016 ; MirMohamadalile et al, 2019 ; Mudiyanselage et al, 2022 ). In this study, displaced mothers who lacked social support reported insufficient knowledge about breastfeeding, challenging transition, compromised nutritional status, and difficulties in sustaining their breastfeeding practices.…”

“…Formal support facilitates breastfeeding mothers to share concerns surrounding their infant feeding and seek practical assistance for encountered breastfeeding issues ( Lawrence & Lawrence, 2010 ; Lauwers & Swisher, 2015 ; MirMohamadalile et al, 2019 ). It further empowers breastfeeding mothers by enhancing their confidence level, knowledge, self-efficacy, decision-making, and breastfeeding management skills ( Lauwers & Swisher, 2015 ; MirMohamadalile et al, 2019 ; Mudiyanselage et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Humanitarian aid distributed during natural disasters often lacks gender sensitivity which negatively affects maternal functioning surrounding breastfeeding and child-rearing ( Hirani et al, 2021 ). During natural disasters, women with young children in low-and middle-income countries are often settled in disaster relief camps that lack necessities of life, such as clean water, sanitation facilities, privacy, and adequate shelter ( Hirani & Kenner, 2011 ; MirMohamadalile et al., 2019 ; Mudiyanselage et al, 2022 ; Sulaiman et al, 2016 ). Young children living in disaster relief camps are more prone to malnutrition, compromised immunity, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases due to suboptimal breastfeeding practices and the use of formula milk prepared in unclean water ( Carothers & Gribble, 2014 ; Hirani, 2021 ; Hirani et al, 2021 ; Mudiyanselage et al., 2022 ).…”

“…During natural disasters, women with young children in low-and middle-income countries are often settled in disaster relief camps that lack necessities of life, such as clean water, sanitation facilities, privacy, and adequate shelter ( Hirani & Kenner, 2011 ; MirMohamadalile et al., 2019 ; Mudiyanselage et al, 2022 ; Sulaiman et al, 2016 ). Young children living in disaster relief camps are more prone to malnutrition, compromised immunity, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases due to suboptimal breastfeeding practices and the use of formula milk prepared in unclean water ( Carothers & Gribble, 2014 ; Hirani, 2021 ; Hirani et al, 2021 ; Mudiyanselage et al., 2022 ). Early cessation of breastfeeding, use of unsafe water, and resultant water-borne diseases are reported to cause the deaths of 760,000 young children each year during natural disasters ( World Health Organization [WHO], 2016 ).…”