Question
My baby is on nevirapine and I’m breastfeeding, is my baby positive?
19 August 2016. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
Answer
Firstly, congratulations on having your baby.
It is normal for your baby to be given a short course (4 weeks) of HIV treatment (such as nevirapine) when born. This doesn’t mean your baby is HIV positive. This will be checked later through testing. A different type of testing is also used on babies as the normal antibody test used in adults will show the baby as positive.
Our guide on pregnancy has lots more information
https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
In the UK, the BHIVA (British HIV Association) guidelines recommend bottle feeding.
This is because in countries where mothers can have access to to formula milk AND clean water AND bottle sterilising equipment, the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby through bottle feeding is zero. There are different recommendations for other countries though and many women breastfeed. I am not sure about the recommendations in Zambia.
This means that you are doing the best that you can to protect your baby.
However, being positive and looking after a new born baby can be hard and many people need help. Do you have much support around you to help or are you touch with good care from your doctor?
Hi Chariline,
It’s great you’re on ART. And it would be great too, if your viral load is undetectable. That’s the best way to protect you and your baby from HIV. So you are doing all you can.
But unfortunately, it’s not recommended to feed using formula and breastfeeding at the same time. That’s because mix feeding like that can increase the risk to your baby of HIV.
So it’s a good idea to talk to the doctor or nurse about the best way to feed your baby.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign for local support.
Hi I’m Chariline I’m On ART,I’m breastfeeding & Using Formula At The Same Time Will That Have Any Effect On My Baby ?
Hi Karabo,
Firstly, congratulations on having a new 4 week old baby.
I’m sorry to hear you’re a nervous wreck when feeding her. But it’s a good idea to talk to the doctor about the best way to feed your baby.
It’s good that you’ve been on ART since Feb 2018. You can check if your viral load was undetectable when you gave birth.
The benefits of ART are not just to your own health. Treating your HIV will reduce the risk of your baby becoming HIV positive to almost zero.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health. This has sections on after your baby is born, and feeding your baby.
Good day,
My baby is 4 weeks old…I gave her formula for the first 3 days when she was born because I wasn’t producing any milk,she had jaundice and was crying hysterically,the Dr advised to feed her formula though I had initially planned on exclusive breastfeeding,so when my milk came in,I started baby on exclusive breastfeeding? am on ART since Feb 2018 and my viral load is undetectable.also when in labour,I progressed fast that they didn’t get the chance to give me treatment to prevent infection during labour and delivery… So I guess my main concern is these two instances…that maybe there was infection during those…my baby finished her short course of AZT and is still breastfeeding…I am a nervous wreck every time I give her the breast… afraid that I will pass on the virus if I have not already…my life as a new mom is sour…
Hi Precious,
All babies who are born to HIV positive mothers need to take ARVs, so yes this is safe.
I am formulas feeding and my baby is taking viola niveropine is it safe?
Hi Anna,
It’s good that you’ve been to the clinic. What HIV meds are you taking? Nevirapine is just one of the drugs used to treat HIV. Pregnant mothers can be on other meds that are safe and effective. Please let us know what you’re taking and if you have your viral load and CD4 results.
HIV treatment (ART) can not only protect your health, it can protect your baby’s health too.
However, all baby’s need to take a short course of HIV drugs for the first few weeks of life, if their mother is HIV positive. So when your baby is born you can talk to the doctor about this short course of ART.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi I’m a HIV positive mom to be and I was expecting the clinic to give me nevarapins to protect my bby since I’m 3 months preggis should I worry
Hi Racheal,
Congratulations on having a new baby girl. It sounds like you’re doing the best you can for her.
But please can you talk to the doctor about your daughter’s treatment? You can check on the best way to feed her. And you can also make sure you are on the right HIV meds for yourself.
Looking after your own health is as important as looking after your baby’s health. So discussing all this with the doctor is a good idea.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
My baby took nevirapine for 7 seven weeks,I switched to zidovudine oral and I breastfed her for 8weeks. She’s still taking the zidovudine as prescribed after I switched to formula I didn’t stop giving her the drugs anyways. Hope my baby girl is safe from the virus?