Recommended 'Cup Feeding' as a Preparation for Emergencies

Even if You're Exclusively Breastfeeding, Prepare Liquid Milk

In stressful situations, even mothers who typically breastfeed may experience a temporary decrease in milk production.

Due to the impact of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the demand for canned liquid milk is said to have doubled, highlighting the high need for liquid milk in emergencies.

Recently, some maternity hospitals have been using canned liquid milk, rather than powdered milk, as a preparedness measure for emergencies. This approach is called "rolling stock," which involves purchasing and storing a little extra of the regular food you typically use, rather than stocking up only on emergency food supplies. Canned liquid milk is usually warmed before feeding, but in emergencies, it can be given at room temperature, making liquid milk a highly effective disaster preparedness solution for maternity hospitals, where many babies are always present.

A temporary decrease in milk production can be addressed with massage and stress relief, allowing breastfeeding to resume. However, during the time until breastfeeding resumes, it is important to supplement with liquid or powdered milk to ensure the baby receives proper nutrition.

Differences Between Liquid Milk and Powdered Milk

The larger cans of powdered milk or cube-type solid powdered milk are commonly seen in baby product sections. Powdered milk needs to be mixed with boiled water, which requires clean water, an environment for sterilizing the water, and methods for sterilizing the bottle and nipple.

Most liquid milk comes in smaller 200ml cans. Typically, it is expected to be warmed in a hot water bath before transferring it to a bottle for feeding.

The key advantage of liquid milk in emergencies is that it can be used without sterilizing bottles. By attaching a disposable nipple directly to the liquid milk can, you can feed without the need for bottle sterilization. Additionally, feeding with a paper cup is also possible, which means even if bottles are unavailable or there is no way to sterilize them, you can still feed your baby.

How to Practice Cup Feeding

  1. Prepare the cleanest possible paper cup or cup (reusing paper cups is not recommended).
  2. Fill the cup halfway with milk.
  3. Wrap the baby’s entire body with a towel or cloth to prevent their hands from touching the cup.
  4. Place a bib or gauze under the baby’s chin.
  5. Hold the baby upright or at a slight incline (do not lay them down, as they may choke easily).
  6. Gently place the rim of the cup against the baby's lower lip.
  7. Tilt the cup slowly to wet the upper and lower lips (be careful not to tilt it too much).

Cup feeding can be done regardless of the baby’s age.

While preparing emergency supplies is crucial, it’s also important that both the mother and baby are accustomed to using canned milk or drinking from a cup in advance, rather than trying it for the first time in an emergency.

Some babies dislike milk or are particular about the nipples on their bottles. It’s important to understand your baby’s tendencies and gradually help them get used to things, such as offering expressed breast milk from a bottle or starting with warm liquid milk from a can.

Reference: Meiji Co., Ltd. "Preparing for Disasters"
Meiji - Disaster Preparedness