Supporting NICU Mothers' Breastfeeding Goals During Climate-Related Disasters Using Kumpfer's Resilience Framework...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Disaster Preparedness
• Maternal-Infant Health

Background:

• Climate-related disasters disrupt essential support systems for breastfeeding mothers and infants.
• Stress and operational barriers during disasters often lead to early cessation of breastfeeding, despite its critical benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an integrated framework for enhancing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) preparedness and breastfeeding support during climate-related disasters.
• To combine Kumpfer's Resilience Framework with the Communication, Maintaining Health, Independence, Safety, Support, and Self-determination, and Transportation (CMIST) Framework.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Kumpfer's Resilience Framework to understand maternal adaptation to disaster conditions.
• Applying the CMIST Framework to guide NICU nurses in assessing maternal and infant needs during disasters.
• Integrating both frameworks to identify preparedness gaps and tailor interventions.

Main Results:

• The integrated approach helps NICU nurses identify preparedness gaps and available resources.
• It supports individualized adaptation of breastfeeding goals by addressing disaster-related needs.
• This enhances critical thinking in disaster contexts for healthcare providers.

Conclusions:

• The combined frameworks provide an adaptable guide for NICU nurses to improve disaster response for breastfeeding mothers.
• NICU nurses can play a key role in disaster planning at various organizational levels.
• Further research is needed to identify specific NICU preparedness strategies that optimize maternal resilience and breastfeeding outcomes.