Abstract
Background
As climate change worsens, the frequency and intensity of natural disasters continues
to increase. These extreme weather events particularly affect the physical and mental
health of vulnerable groups such as mothers and infants. From low-income to high income
countries, poorly organised disaster response can negatively impact infant and young
child feeding practices.
Aim
To examine challenges and supportive strategies for infant and young child feeding
during natural disasters to inform further research and guide disaster recommendations
and practice.
Methods
A comprehensive search strategy explored the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL and
Cochrane Library. Screening, data extraction and analysis were conducted using Covidence.
Quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Studies
were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
This review included 13 studies (4 mixed methods, 1 critical ethnography, 2 quasi-experimental
studies, 4 descriptive studies, 1 qualitative study, 1 evidence gap map analysis).
Breastfeeding facilitators during natural disaster contexts are privacy for breastfeeding,
community and family support, adaptation of professional breastfeeding support to
the local context and pre-existing breastfeeding practice. Breastfeeding challenges
during natural disasters include decreased breastfeeding self-efficacy, lack of knowledge
and resources and over-reliance on formula baby milks. Formula baby milk feeding challenges
during natural disasters are the lack of access to resources required for hygienic
formula baby milk preparation as well as the lack of availability of formula baby
milk in some contexts.
Conclusion
This systematic integrative review demonstrates that interventions which facilitate
optimal infant and young child feeding in natural disaster contexts must be culturally
and socially appropriate; increasing women’s knowledge of optimal breastfeeding and
safe formula baby milk feeding practices as well as breastfeeding self-efficacy.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 05, 2022
Accepted:
December 17,
2021
Received in revised form:
November 21,
2021
Received:
August 24,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
