Relactation in Times of Disasters, is the Word Getting Out?

This study has three aims. First, to assess obstetric and pediatric health care providers (OPHCP) knowledge of relactation. Second, to assess OPHCPs beliefs that in times of disaster relactation is a viable option for preventing dehydration and malnutrition among formula fed infants. And third, to determine the number of OPHCP that instruct pregnant women, newly delivered, and mothers of formula fed infants that relactation can be initiated, when water safety or formula availability has been impacted by a manmade or natural disaster.

Obstetric and pediatric physicians were asked to complete a questionnaire which assessed their knowledge base regarding relactation, explored their beliefs regarding relactation as a viable solution for formula fed infants during times when clean water and infant formula are no longer accessible, and examined physician's patient education focusing on relactation during times of disaster.

After calculating power requirements and developing a sampling scheme, OPHCP practicing in Utah were mailed a questionnaire which explored their relactation knowledge, relactation beliefs, and current patient/client relactation educational efforts. Utah was selected because they have met all three of the Healthy People 2010 objectives for breast feeding. It is our belief that the chosen state will provide best case views and practices for relactation.

The surveys were recently mailed to physicians; therefore, data analysis has not been completed.