Sanitation Kit Deeper Dive; Support Skills for IYCF-E
[VIDEO] – edited version will later occupy the space where the image is currently a placeholder above
Sanitation supplies are a lifeline in emergencies, but using them effectively requires more than a quick overview. In this session, we take a deeper dive into the Sanitation Kit—what’s inside, how each component supports safe infant and young child feeding, and practical ways to use the kit in challenging environments. We then move into essential support skills, including hand expression, cup feeding, relactation, and co‑nursing, exploring when and how each technique can protect feeding continuity for families under stress. Through real‑world examples and grounded guidance, this training equips responders with the confidence and competence to help caregivers maintain safe, nurturing feeding practices during crises.
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 6 – Homework Summary
- Review Handouts
- Customize Infant Feeding Sanitation Kits.
- Learn more about cup feeding, hand expression, relactation, & co-nursing.
- Continue creating your community resource list.
- Field / Community Experience – Strive to do an RNA with 3+ caregivers this month.
- Complete the evaluation for this session.
- Make a suggested donation of $5 per session (optional, but appreciated!)
Thank you to our generous sponsors! See more below.
Handouts, Links & Resources
Handout List
- Cup Feeding Quick Reference*
(Pages 4-5 of Quick Reference Guide*) - Cup Feeding Resources
- Hand Expression Quick Reference*
(Pages 6-7 of Quick Reference Guide* + CDC handout) - Hand Expression Resources
- Relactation Resources
- Co-Nursing Resources
- Alimentación Segura Infantil – Many useful feeding resources, especially in Spanish.
- SAFE Feeding Sanitation Kit Decision-making Guide
- Bleach Alternative Notes*
- Water Filters Meeting WHO Standards*
- DIY Sanitation Kit*
- *Indicates previously distributed handouts.
Cup Feeding Quick Reference Guide
(Pages 4-5 of Quick Reference Guide*)
Cup Feeding Infants / Alimentación con Vaso. Pgs 4-5
SAFE Infant Feeding Quick Reference Guide
Other Cup Feeding Resources
South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (various resources): https://www.scbreastfeeds.org/cupfeeding-videos
Cup Feeding a Small (premature) Baby for Mothers(by Global Health Media): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6AU6y6qatc
Hand Expression Quick Reference Guide
(Pages 6-7 of Quick Reference Guide* + CDC handout)
- Hand Expression / La extracción de leche con las manos. Pgs 6-7
- Adapted from CDC hand expression guidance at: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-feeding-emergencies-toolkit/php/hand-expression.html
Relactation Videos:
Co-Nursing (aka wet nursing**) Resources:
- Wet Nursing** Screening Tool (IYCF-E Core Hub, Save the Children, USAID)
https://iycf-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/Wet-Nursing-Screening-Tool.pdf - Supporting Wet Nursing** During Emergencies
https://www.ennonline.net/sites/default/files/2025-08/Supporting-wet-nursing-during-emergencies-%28ENGLISH%29.pdf - Facilitators and barriers of wet nursing:** a qualitative study with implications for emergencies (research article)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12098040/
**The term wet nursing is considered by many to be insensitive or derogatory and is strongly discouraged, though many government and organization resources still use it.
Alternately, co-nursing can be called delegated nursing, shared nursing, allo-maternal or allo-parental nursing, or substitute nursing.
Alimentación Segura Infantil (ASI)
This organization, run by Lourdes Santaballa and other dedicated persons, works to support food safety and security for infants, in and outside of emergencies. They have many useful resources, particularly in Spanish.
SAFE Infant Feeding Sanitation Kit Decision-making Guide
Questions to ask when deciding if infant feeding sanitation kits are needed, and what to include in your group’s version.
Bleach Alternative Notes
Notes and facts about cold water purification alternatives other than liquid bleach.
Water Filters Meeting WHO standards
3 *** are better!
https://safeinfantfeeding.org/app/uploads/2025/12/WHO-Water-Treatment-Solutions.pdf
DIY Infant Feeding Sanitation Kit
Instructions for making your own sanitation kit, as the SAFE Team used them in WNC, for disinfecting infant and young child feeding items such as bottles, nipples, pump parts, and sippy cups. For responder or family/caregiver use.
English:
https://safeinfantfeeding.org/app/uploads/2025/12/DIY-Sanitation-Kit-Components-English.pdf
Spanish:
https://safeinfantfeeding.org/app/uploads/2025/12/DIY-Sanitation-Kit-Components-Spanish.pdf
Guidelines, suggestions, signs, and other information about creating baby- and family-friendly spaces in shelters.
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.