Storm Prep for Infant Feeding Parents: How to Protect Milk and Feeding Plans During a Hurricane or Evacuation

Lactation Whisperer
Jun 13
3 min read

Hurricane season in Southwest Florida is no joke. If you’re feeding your baby with your body—whether through breastfeeding, chestfeeding, pumping, or a combination—getting storm-ready includes a few extra steps.

You might be wondering:

What happens to frozen milk if the power goes out?
Should you evacuate with your pump or feeding supplies?
How can I keep feeding my baby safely on the go?

As an IBCLC and fellow Floridian, I’m here to help you protect your milk and your feeding plan with calm, evidence-based guidance. Let’s walk through what you need to know.

Learn how to protect human milk and feeding supplies during a hurricane or evacuation. Expert guidance from IBCLC Juana for parents who are breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or pumping.

Step 1: Build a Feeding Emergency Kit

Prepare a small emergency bag or box with essentials that support both bodyfeeding and milk expression:

Manual breast pump (essential during a power outage)
Clean milk storage bags or containers
Cooler with solid ice packs
Dish soap + bottle brush or sanitizing wipes
Extra pump parts and batteries (if applicable)
Disposable nursing/chest pads
Nipple cream or lanolin
Feeding-friendly clothing
Baby carrier or wrap
Hand sanitizer
Printed feeding tips or log (optional)

Whether you feed directly or pump, these items help protect your supply and your baby’s nutrition if routines are disrupted.

Step 2: Know What to Do If the Power Goes Out

If your fridge or freezer loses power:

Keep the door closed as long as possible
A full freezer can stay frozen for ~48 hours (24 if half-full)
Milk with ice crystals can be safely refrozen
Milk that’s fully thawed but still cold (below 40°F) must be used within 24 hours and not refrozen

Pro Tip: Freeze a cup of water with a coin on top and leave it in your freezer. If the coin sinks after an outage, your freezer likely warmed enough to thaw the milk.

Step 3: Safely Evacuate with Milk and Supplies

If you need to evacuate:

Pack frozen milk in a cooler with solid ice bricks (not gel packs)
Place milk in the center, surrounded by ice
Avoid opening the cooler frequently
Use dry ice for longer trips—but don’t let it touch the milk directly
Label milk with the date/time and note how long it’s been out of the freezer

Step 4: Keep Feeding On the Go

Whether you're pumping, bodyfeeding, or both, try to maintain your rhythm—even when conditions are stressful.

Feed or pump as close to your usual intervals as possible to protect your supply
Use hand sanitizer before feeding or handling equipment
Rinse pump parts with bottled or boiled water if clean water is limited
Continue skin-to-skin when possible—it soothes baby and supports milk flow
Stay nourished and hydrated, too—you’re part of the plan

Step 5: Prepare Emotionally, Too

Storms are unpredictable. But your infant feeding plan doesn’t have to be.

Take a deep breath. Planning ahead—even just a little—can reduce anxiety and help you feel confident in your ability to nourish and comfort your baby, no matter what.

You’re doing an incredible job. Keep going—you’ve got this.

📥 Download the Free Emergency Infant Feeding Checklist

To help you stay prepared, I’ve created a printable checklist that covers all your must-haves for feeding your baby in an emergency—whether you’re pumping, nursing, chestfeeding, or doing all three.

👉 Click here to download your free checklist INSERT LINK