Question
Should I mix the way I feed my baby?
6 October 2016. Related: All topics, Children, HIV transmission, Pregnancy, Starting treatment.
I found out i was HIV positive at 6 months pregnant with a CD4 count of 374. My baby tested negative at birth and at 6 weeks. Now my baby is 4 months and my husband wants me to start supplementing and stop breastfeeding. What should i do and how to keep my baby negative.
Answer
Hi there,
How are you handling being positive? Do you have much support?
May I ask if you are taking treatment? This is best way to stop transmission if you are breastfeeding. Treatment is also the only way to keep yourself healthy.
It is good you baby tested negative so far. Your baby will likely have another test fairly soon to confirm their status as HIV testing is a little different for babies.
Whether to breastfeed or use formula feed for you baby depends on the recommendations in your country. It is best not to mix feeding types though and you should only use formula feed if you can access to clean water, bottles and enough food. I am not sure about supplementing onto hard food, this is best checked with your doctor. I am sorry your husband is suggesting a change, can you access any maternal care for direction and support?
Hi, if viral load is not available, but you are not missing meds, then most people have an undetectable viral load without having to use the test. If your monitoring is just with a CD4 test, then so long as you CD4 count is roughly stable or increasing, your HIV meds are likely to be keeping viral load this low.
Honestly am keeping up and only my husband,sister and her daughter knows.my husband is negative and he excepted my status.i am taking my medication regularly but its expensive to get viral load.