For nursing moms and babies, preparing for hurricane season goes beyond the batteries and flashlights, bottled water and non-perishable foods. Proper nutrition is crucial for both of you, regardless of the weather.

The good news is that nursing moms have readily available food for their babies. And, human milk straight from the breast is always sterile. It’s nature’s perfect recipe for a baby’s growth and development.

The bad news is if a storm knocks out power, it can be difficult to maintain proper refrigeration of stored breast milk, formula, baby food or finger foods. Also, clean water may be unavailable, the environment may not be sterile, and it may be impossible to clean utensils.

Tips for hurricane prep

Donna Logan, a registered dietitian and nutrition education and training coordinator at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, gives these tips to help nursing women prepare for an unwelcome storm.

• Stock up on bottled water and other liquids. Nursing moms need plenty of liquid to produce milk, so you'll need to store more than average. Water, milk or fruit juices are great choices. Prepare for one gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days, preferably seven to 10 days.
• Eat healthy snacks and maintain a healthy and balanced diet, even when the power is out. Before the storm, load up on:
  
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Protein or fruit/cereal bars, dry cereal or granola
    
  • Peanut butter
  • Dried fruit, nuts, crackers
  • Canned juices and non-perishable pasteurized milk

Prepare for the worst

Even if you’re not nursing, prepare so your baby will have a healthy diet after a storm. Logan recommends the following tips.

• Include ready-to-feed formula nursettes in your emergency kit. Powdered and concentrated formulas and bottles depend upon a clean, safe water supply for safety. For this reason, only breastfeeding and ready-to-use formula nursettes should be considered safe during emergencies.
• If there is no electricity, opened prepared formula or opened baby food cannot be preserved in the refrigerator. Be sure you have a large supply of both.
• Baby food, fruits, vegetables and meats are more nutritious than mixed dinners and desserts.
• Keep a manual can opener and disposable utensils available.

Time for a vacation?

If you have young children, consider evacuating well before a hurricane threatens. Look at it as an opportunity to visit family or friends who live outside the projected path of the storm.

By Melissa Fouts, guest contributor