Breastfeeding with Power Outages

From time to time, we experience power outages in the UK. What do we do when we’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding and the power goes out? There’s a few things worth preparing.

Remember, breastfeeding and chestfeeding are powerful tools in your toolbox as neither require fuel, water, or electricity.

If you lose power, keeping your baby close is important. Breastfeeding releases hormones that reduce stress for both you and your baby, and it’s important to keep breastfeeding at regular intervals. More frequent breastfeeds can also increase supply if you are combi-feeding. Safe bedsharing is also an option.

Remember, a hand pump or hand expressing are possibilites if you need to express while the power is out.

Using disposable cups, even for newborns, is an option if you can’t sanitise bottles. If combi-feeding, refer to NHS guidelines (England, Scotland).

If you have frozen milk in storage, before the power goes out, you can turn down the freezer to the lowest setting. Put any frozen milk in the middle of your freezer where it’s coldest, and fill any empty space with water, which can freeze and help keep the freezer colder for longer. Once the power is out, remember to keep the freezer door closed for as long as possible. When the power is back on, if there are any ice crystals in the milk, it may be refrozen. If there are not, then guidelines suggest using the milk within a 24-48 hour window (24 hours for newborns or immune compromised babies) and not refrozen.

Remember, LLL Collective breastfeeding counsellors are available to support – please WhatsApp a Leader here on our website. Save our number and make sure your batteries are charged!

Additional Resources:

LLL USA: Breastfeeding in an Emergency

LLL Canada: Breastfeeding in Emergencies, Disasters and Power Outages

Kellymom: My power went out and I have breastmilk in the freezer – help!