NCBfC SAFE Team
North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
Support and Advocacy for Infant Feeding
in Emergencies Team
Contact: safe@ncbfc.org
Click on the boxes below to find resources to meet your needs.
Supporting Infant Feeding
in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
NCBfC SAFE Team Supporting Infant Feeding
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, communities in Western North Carolina grappled with widespread devastation, including long term water outages, water contamination, and limited access to essential services. Among the most vulnerable in these circumstances were infants and young children who relied on safe, appropriate feeding for their survival and well-being. The NCBfC SAFE Team (North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition Support and Advocacy for Infant Feeding Emergencies Team) actively worked in this region to provide critical infant feeding support, guided by the expertise of Infant Feeding Specialists.
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The SAFE Team provided life-saving SAFE Infant Feeding Sanitation Kits to families across Western North Carolina who were struggling without access to clean water. The Team worked in partnership with the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition at FEMA centers, community sites, and church distribution networks. We were on the front lines, helping families in some of the hardest-hit areas.
The SAFE Team now has transitioned to longterm support and recovery efforts. The Team now is working to create sustainable support networks while continuing to provide supplies to families across Western North Carolina.
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Infant Feeding in Emergencies Training
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Based on their work in Western North Carolina, the NCBfC SAFE Team developed an 11-month training - Nourishing Resilience | SAFE Infant Feeding in Crisis. This grant-funded educational opportunity is designed for healthcare providers, lactation and childbirth professionals, first responders, community health workers, and volunteers. Participants will meet online on the second Tuesday of each month. Click here to learn more about the training and to register, or you can copy the link into your browser: https://www.ncbfc.org/infant-feeding-trainings
The NCBfC SAFE Team continues to work to ensure that families in North Carolina have access to the tools they need to safely feed their infants in the wake of a crisis or emergency.
You can help!
There are a number of ways to support NCBfC SAFE Infant Feeding.
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Make a financial donation to help us to continue to provide critical services to families in need, including advocacy, outreach, and support for local coalitions throughout North Carolina. ​
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Register for the NCBfC SAFE Training.
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Learn more about the Infant Feeding Sanitation Kits.
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Contact safe@ncbfc.org for more information.
Wondering what is included in the Infant Feeding Sanitation Kit?
Here is a list of supplies:
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Plastic Bins or Tubs with Lids
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Size: Shoebox size with lid, slightly larger is acceptable.
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These bins will hold all the kit supplies and can double as a portable washing and sanitizing station. They also provide clean storage of supplies.
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Bleach (1.43 quarts/48 ounces or smaller)​
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Must be regular unscented bleach, such as "Clorox Disinfecting Bleach".
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NO Splash-free/Splash-less/"No Splash" versions; NO added Fragrance; NO Fabric Protectant; NO other additives.
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Just regular bleach.
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Must be in original packaging.
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Containers must be smaller than 48 ounces, as bleach cannot be divided into smaller containers.
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Bleach is essential for disinfecting feeding items and preventing the spread of harmful bacteria.
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Silicone Bottle Brushes​​
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Should have a nipple brush, too, to clean the teat part of the bottles.
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The brushes are essential for properly cleaning bottles and other feeding equipment, especially in conditions where sterilization is challenging.
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Liquid Dish Soap (8 oz or smaller) containers​
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8 oz or smaller. Travel-size ok, but medium is better. NOT full-size.
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These smaller sizes are ideal for portability and safety during travel.
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The regular dish soap is used to clean feeding supplies before sanitizing.
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Disposable Cups​
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Bathroom-size/dixie cup sized disposable cups. Paper is preferred.
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Place the cups in a sandwich bag, at least 10 cups per kit.
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The cups provide a safe option for feeding formula or liquid supplements to babies.
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The SAFE Team is committed to ensuring that every family in North Carolina has the support they need during a crisis or emergency.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.