Season 4, Episode 3: Breastfeeding During Natural Disasters

Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond

Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond
Season 4, Episode 3: Breastfeeding During Natural Disasters
Jun 24, 2025 Season 4 Episode 3
MAHEC

When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina in the fall of 2024, many families were left without access to power and clean water for weeks or even months. This made commonplace tasks such as safely storing pumped breast milk nearly impossible.  Brandi Harrison, a certified lactation consultant based in WNC, discusses her experience helping families navigate infant feeding during this crisis, and shares lessons learned to help others prepare for future disasters.

Resources 

North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (main site)

NCBfC SAFE Team  

Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities

Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Toolkit (IYCF-E Toolkit)

Today Show: Women are horseback-riding heroes bringing supplies, support to new moms after hurricane devastation

Correction:  Brandi says the cost of not breastfeeding is $53 million to the US.  It was actually a global study, so that number refers to worldwide costs. Research study: The cost of not breastfeeding: global results from a new tool

We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments.

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
 Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Please provide feedback here:
https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

Episode Artwork Season 4, Episode 3: Breastfeeding During Natural Disasters 41:36 Episode Artwork Season 4, Episode 2: Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation 41:09 Episode Artwork Season 4, Episode 1: Babies Need Bottoms: WNC's Diaper Bank 36:15 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 17: ITACC Map: Locating WNCs Maternal Health Resources 57:26 Episode Artwork Season 3; Episode 16: 4th Trimester Project 30:09 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 15: Project CARA: Hub and Spokes Model 45:22 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 14: Intimate Partner Violence 53:29 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 13: NC “I Gave Birth” Bracelet Project 37:56 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 12: It’s Here! Postpartum Depression Medication 34:19 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 11:Project Dignity 34:41 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 10: Triple P Parenting Program 27:30 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 9: Language Concordant Services in Maternal Health Project 30:30 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 8: NC Pediatric Access Line for Pediatric Mental Health 43:14 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 7: Project CARA: Navigating Substance Use Through the Lifecourse 57:20 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 6: NC Pregnant Workers Fairness Act 35:33 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 5: Genetic Screening in Pregnancy 35:28 Episode Artwork Season 3. Episode 4: Lactation and Mastitis, What You Need to Know 35:28 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 3: Pharmacists, Improving Access to Contraception 52:36 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 2: Safe Kids Program of WNC 28:45 Episode Artwork Season 3, Episode 1: Family Medicine Docs and the Postpartum Period 42:48 Episode Artwork Season 2, Episode 16: Caring for Rural Communities 38:09 Episode Artwork Season 2, Episode 15: Safe Sleep 39:18 Episode Artwork Season 2, Episode 13: Anemia in Pregnancy 41:56 Episode Artwork Season 2, Episode 12: Voice of a Father 40:08 Episode Artwork Season 2, Episode 10: Perinatal Health in Incarceration 34:38