Event: Infant and Young Child Feeding in an Emergency
Date: Tuesday 9 April 2024
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Venue: South Auditorium, Block A, Level 1, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida

Breastfeeding is recommended by national and international public health bodies. Where breastmilk feeding is not possible, safe feeding of an appropriate infant formula is an alternative option. During emergency situations, appropriate and evidence-based support of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is needed quickly as the greatest risks to this group are posed by diarrhoea, infections and malnutrition.

Even in well-nourished populations, an emergency can quickly place the health of infants and young children at risk. Thus, the WHO has urged member states to develop preparedness plans for IYCF during emergencies (IYCF-E) (WHO, 2017). Creating environments where women are supported and empowered to start and maintain breastfeeding has been identified as critical within government policies across the island of Ireland. 

Speaker: Dr Aileen Kennedy, School of Biological, Health & Sports Sciences, Technological University Dublin.