How to store and keep your breast milk fresh during a natural disaster

Being a breastfeeding mom is no easy task. And during a storm or a typhoon, it gets even more difficult to breastfeed your little one since there might be power outages, so there's no simple way to keep your breast milk fresh.

What's a mom to do?

Always be prepared!

During natural disasters, most resources are limited, and it'll be hard to find even some basic necessities, depending on how severe the disaster is.

That's why preparation is key in order to ensure that your little one's breast milk supply won't be at risk should there be a disaster. Here are some things that you can do to keep your breast milk fresh:

• If you pump milk, make sure that you have a hand pump, which doesn't require electricity. You can also get a car adapter or a battery pack if you're using an electric breast pump.
• Before a disaster strikes, make sure that your freezer is cold and packed so that it can keep things inside the freezer well-insulated. The good thing is that even after a power outage, a freezer can keep its contents cold for up to 48 hours.
• Make sure to have an insulated container that you can use to transport breast milk should you be forced to evacuate. An insulated container with ice packs should be able to keep your breast milk fresh for at least a day or two.
• You can also freeze your breast milk beforehand so you can just defrost it once you need to use it. Studies have shown that freezing doesn't have any ill effects on your breast milk, so it's safe to do it.
• As long as you can see ice crystals in your breast milk, you can be sure that it's safe to defrost and give to your baby.
• Make sure that you have sterilized and clean bottles that are ready to go in case you aren't able to sterilize and clean your baby's bottles.

The most important thing when it comes to disasters is to remember to keep your family safe and secure during the disaster. Always check the news for any updates regarding the storm, and if there's a need to evacuate, then you need to do so safely and as quickly as possible.

Source: babble.com

READ: Inspiring mom is critically ill but still pumps breast milk for her preemies