Impact of Flood on Breastfeeding Practices at Flood Relief Camps of Pakistan.

Objective: To explore impact of flood on breastfeeding practices and identify barriers in continuation of breastfeeding among mothers residing in flood relief camps.

Methods: This exploratory observational study was conducted during visit of medical team of The University of Child Health Sciences, Children's Hospital at flood relief camps of Sindh (7^th September to 12^th September, 2022) and south-west of Punjab province (18^th November to 20^th November, 2022). The data was collected on structured questionnaire from 40 lactating mothers residing in flood relief camps. Purposive sampling technique was used in this regard.

Results: The mean age of breastfed children was 16.1±7.811 months. There was negative impact on breastfeeding practices (n=21, 52.5%) as frequency decreased in 18(45%) mothers and 3(7.5%) totally stopped breastfeeding. There was significant relation between pre-flood breastfeeding status and impact of flood on breastfeeding practices (p=0.001). The major barriers to appropriate breastfeeding were mother's perception of insufficient breast milk due to inadequate diet (n=6, 15%) or depression and anxiety (n=4, 10%), mother's illness (n=3, 7.5%), constant displacement (n=2, 5%) and provision of breast milk substitutes (n=2, 5%).

Conclusion: There has been significant negative impact of flood on breastfeeding practices among lactating mothers residing in flood relief camps. Perception of decreased milk production due to inadequate diet and stress are major barriers in continuation of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding supportive services need to be integral component of flood crisis management.