Disaster Resources for WIC Agencies

Promote messaging that breastfeeding is the safest and best infant feeding option during a disaster or emergency.

Please view page 20 of the Guide to Coordinating WIC Service During Disasters.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Support Phone Line for Breastfeeding Families

Breastfeeding Support Phone Numbers: WIC Breastfeeding Support Phone Numbers by Local Agency

*See a list of closed WIC agencies. If your WIC agency is closed, please contact any open local WIC agency for breastfeeding support.

Free Infant Feeding Help for Families Affected by Hurricane Helene

If you have questions about feeding your baby and were affected by Hurricane Helene, free help is available! Families can call or text the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Hotline anytime for support. This service is free and funded by the Ohio Department of Health to assist families during this tough time. North Carolina is thankful for their help in making sure breastfeeding families get the support they need.

The hotline is open 24/7, every day of the year. Call 888-588-3423 or text "BFHOTLINE" to 833863 for free help.

Resources

Disaster Preparation

For Breastfeeding Families:
- Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Breastfeeding Mothers (International Lactation Consultant Association [ILCA])
For Support Providers (including local WIC agencies):
- Support, Assist, Feed, Equip (SAFE): A Guide for Safe Infant Feeding in Unstable Environments Recorded Webinar

During Disasters

“Even under stress, mothers can breastfeed”- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

For Breastfeeding Families:
- Breastfeeding During a Disaster and Other Emergencies (CDC)
- For Support Providers (including local WIC agencies):
- For Local WIC Agencies
  - Guide to Coordinating WIC Services During Disasters (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA])

Milk Expression

“Expressing breast milk by hand is an important skill for lactating women to learn, especially in case of an emergency. Hand expression can be helpful in emergency situations when you may not have access to a breast pump, electricity for a breast pump, or if you are away from your baby unexpectedly.”- CDC

Disaster Preparation and During Disasters

For Breastfeeding Families
- Hand Expression (CDC) (English, Spanish)
- Freshly Expressed Milk (CDC)
- Frozen Expressed Milk Storage (CDC)
- Breast Milk Storage Questions and Answers (CDC)

Collection Kits for Breast Pumps

Disaster Preparation

For Breastfeeding Families
- Emergency List for Families Relying On a Breast Pump

North Carolina WIC Pump Options

Pump Type	Brand and Model	Alternative Power Options	Charge Time	Pump Time	Additional Information
Multi-User Electric	Medela Symphony	N/A	N/A	N/A
Multi-User Electric	Ameda Pearl	Rechargeable AC adapter (outlet required to charge)	2 hours	At least 3 hours	Manual pump included
Single User Electric	Medela Pump in Style Advanced	Battery pack or car charger accessories	None	Battery pack: Up to 2 hours Car Charger: Only when car is on	Requires 8 AA batteries, Manual pump included
Single User Electric	Ameda Mya Joy (original)	Battery option available	None	Approx. 1.5 hours	Requires 4 AA batteries, Manual pump included
Single User Electric	Ameda Mya Joy PLUS	Rechargeable AC adapter (outlet required to charge)	2.5 + hours	At least 2 hours	Manual pump included
Single User Manual	Medela Harmony	No power needed	None	Unlimited	Included in the Pump and Style Advanced kits.
Single User Manual	Ameda One-Handed Manual Pump	No power needed	None	Unlimited	Included with the Pearl, Mya Joy, and Mya Joy PLUS kits.

Infant Feeding Guidance

Cup Feeding

Disaster Preparation & During Disasters

For Breastfeeding (providing expressed milk) & Formula Feeding Families
- Cup Feeding During Emergencies (CDC): English, Spanish

Cleaning Infant Feeding Supplies During Emergencies

Disaster Preparation & During Disasters

For Breastfeeding (providing expressed milk) & Formula Feeding Families
- How to Clean Infant Feeding Items During Emergencies (CDC): English, Spanish

Powdered Infant Formula

During Disasters

For Formula Feeding Families
- How to Prepare and Store Powdered Infant Formula During Emergency (CDC): English, Spanish
- Feeding Infants in a Disaster: English, Spanish

Food Assistance Resources

Food Bank of the Albemarle (Northeast NC)
Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC
Second Harvest Northwest NC
Manna Food Bank in Western North Carolina locations
Second Harvest Southeast NC

Food Safety in Emergency Situations

Conference for Food Protection: Comprehensive Resource for Food Recovery Programs
FDA: Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods
Foodsafety.gov: In an Emergency
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):
- Food and Nutrition Services (FNS):
  - Tips for Handling Food Following a Disaster
- Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS):
  - Are You and Your Food Prepared for a Power Outage?
  - Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency