Creating Safe, Supportive Environments for IYCF in Congregate Settings
[VIDEO] – edited version will later occupy the space where the image is currently a placeholder above
Shelters, distribution sites, and other congregate settings are ubiquitous parts of disaster response. In this session, we discuss examples of congregate areas, ways to support families at those sites, and some ways to support the sites themselves as they support the families in feeding and caring for their infants and young children. Jodine Chase of Safely Fed Canada shares a case study of a disaster, including challenges and risks of congregate areas they observed, and some ways to mitigate those risks.
Topics with time stamps:
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 0:00 –
- 00:00 –
- 00:00 –
- 00:00 –
- 00:00 –
- 00:00 – Homework
- 00:00 – Q&A
Session 5 – Homework Summary
- Review Handouts
- Consider Joining SAFE Support and Strategic Core (S3C)
- Signs for Congregate Areas – Choose, edit, or create signs to use.
- Start learning about your community’s preparedness.
- Field / Community Experience – RNA with 3 Caregivers.
- Complete the session evaluation
- Suggested donation of $5 per session (optional, greatly appreciated!)
Thank you to our generous sponsors! See more below.
Full description of homework can be found here:
Handouts, Links & Resources
Handout List
- Signs for Shelters & Congregate Areas – CDC
- Signs for Shelters & Congregate Areas – SafelyFed Canada
- Signs for Shelters & Congregate Areas – CGBI
- Breastfeeding Welcome Sign – USDA
- Breastfeeding Welcome Signs – Breastfeed Durham
- Site Assessment Handout – Safely Fed Canada
- L.I.F.E. (Lactation and Infant Feeding in Emergencies) Support Kit from CGBI
- CDC Guidance on creating safer spaces
- UNICEF “Baby Tents” video link
- Baby Friendly Spaces Resource PDF from Save the Children
- UNICEF Blue Dot Support Centers information
- Research Paper – The Effect of Mass Evacuation on Infant Feeding: The Case of the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfire. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2018.
- Contacting Sites about IYCF-E Templates (previous)
- Family Resources – SAFE Infant Feeding (previous)
- Site Resources – SAFE Infant Feeding (previous)
- “Safe Infant Feeding Tips for Families” poster (previous)
Signs for Shelters & Congregate Areas – CDC
Signs to download and print for family-friendly areas, breastfeeding spaces, etc.
IYCF-E Shelter Signs – CDC
Signs for Shelters & Congregate Areas – Safely Fed Canada
Signs for use in congregate areas
Breastfeeding Welcome – English Multi-Lingual
Do Not Wash in Restroom – English
Signs for Shelters & Congregate Areas – CGBI
CGBI- Baby Care Area | CGBI- Family Care Area |
CGBI- Breastfeeding Area | CGBI- Washroom Warning
Breastfeeding Welcome Signs – Breastfeed Durham
Breastfeeding Welcome Signs: A Bold Step Towards Inclusivity in Durham | Breastfeed Durham
Site Assessment Handout & Other Resources – Safely Fed Canada
Resources to help volunteers supporting sites assess their readiness to support families with infants and young children, quickly determine infant feeding needs, set up caregiver-baby spaces, and safely feed babies in shelters.
L.I.F.E. (Lactation and Infant Feeding in Emergencies) Support Kit from Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI)
A suite of materials and information about IYCF-E.
CDC Guidance on Creating Safer Spaces
Guidelines, suggestions, signs, and other information about creating baby- and family-friendly spaces in shelters.
UNICEF “Baby Tents”
An older version of safer congregate spaces for caregivers of young children. Helpful, but may split up families.
Baby Friendly Spaces
Save the Children resource on creating baby-friendly spaces in emergency settings.
UNICEF Blue Dot Support Centers
A newer model with full family support in a single location.
Research Paper – Fort McMurray Wildfire
Research Paper – The Effect of Mass Evacuation on Infant Feeding: The Case of the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfire. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2018.
Contacting Sites for IYCF-E Template
Use to connect with sites and organizations that are distributing infant feeding supplies to help them manage those supplies and directly support families. You will also want to ensure that they know your team is a resource.
Family Resources – SAFE Infant Feeding
Videos and information for caregivers about safely feeding your baby or young child in an emergency situation.
https://safeinfantfeeding.org/families/
Site Resources – SAFE Infant Feeding
Videos and information for recovery sites to train staff and share with families about safely feeding infants & young children in an emergency situation.
https://safeinfantfeeding.org/sites/
Safe Infant Feeding Tips for Families
Essential tips for families, with a QR code link to other resources.
English Safe Infant Feeding Tips for Families
Spanish – Alimentacion Segura Para los Bebés
Please Support Our Efforts
If you find this training helpful, please support our efforts with a financial donation. Click below and select “SAFE Team” to earmark for IYCF-E education and disaster response support.
Thanks to our Sponsors
We express our gratitude to our sponsors that made this training possible:
Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation
The Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation is a private family foundation dedicated to supporting charitable organizations that align with its mission of giving back.
Grants are made only as a result of the Foundation’s own initiative.
Baby Bjorn
BabyBjörn was founded in 1961 with a mission to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable for parents with babies. Still family-owned, that mission extends to this day through their support of the community and products that go beyond quality and safety standards. To get in touch with BabyBjörn for support on baby carriers, to join their community of experts, or if need arises in your community for emergency baby gear supplies, please reach out to care@babybjorn.com.
In memory of Elsie Perry
Elsie Perry was a founding mother of La Leche League Boston in the 1960’s. Donation of support made by her daughters.
Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities
Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities provides technical assistance to breastfeeding coalitions and health departments across the US, including Breastfeed Durham, Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities of Asheville, and the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition. Our newest project, the SAFE Team, revealed national gaps in infant and young child feeding during emergencies. Our core mission of systems change uses the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community to train and educate non-lactating community members to better welcome families, normalize breastfeeding, and prepare for safe infant feeding in emergencies. Together, we build environments where every family can thrive.
Confident Pregnancy (DBA Melinda Delisle Innovations)
We help people be healthier, feel more confident, and find their inner strength so we can show up as our best selves. Learn tips and insights foundations for staying calmer and more resilient under stress at MelindaDelisle.substack.com/ or see pregnancy-specific services at ConfidentPregnancy.com
Birthstone Center for Appalachian Perinatal Resilience
The Birthstone Center for Appalachian Perinatal Resilience strengthens perinatal health in Western North Carolina by centering families, uplifting birthworkers, and advancing equitable access to lactation, doula, and maternal mental health support—building resilience in mountain communities before, during, and after birth. Starting as a small private practice, Birthstone has grown into a regional nonprofit that creates innovative solutions to providing a village for Mountain Families.
Sponsor This IYCF-E Training
Creating a detailed and thorough training to the high standards we know you all expect takes funding. If you would like to learn more about sponsoring or other partnership opportunities, please contact us.