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 ANDÂ 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 Mbali, congratulations on your new baby. Do you mind if I ask why he is on suspension treatment? and is he on any HIV medication?
Mbali hi I’m hiv positive and i don’t breastfeed my 10days baby at all. He is on a suspension treatment can i give him muthi wenyoni/Gripe water /phipp’s milk magnesia? He cry when he want to tool ?
Hi Sindy, please don’t worry – you are doing a great job in looking after your baby. This late dose will all be fine. If you are finding things difficult to cope though, please talk to your clinic in case they can help with support.
Hi today I went to the clinic then I forgot his nevaropine at home and we usually taking it a 10 in the morning but he didn’t no drink we went home at 4 afternoon then I gave him
So I just want to ask he is gonna be infected by gaving him at the wrong time
Hi Mfanny, congratulations on your new baby – this must be an exciting time. Even though giving other medication is not recommended, this is unlikely to have caused any problems if you have already stopped. It is not going to affect your baby’s risk of HIV. Please talk to your doctor or clinic if you are worried – but otherwise enjoy this time you have together.
Good afternoon
I am HIV positive and I gave birth on 13th October. I give my baby Panado and Mthuthuzeli during nevirapine treatment and I realize that I was not supposed to give her any medication without consulting the doctor. Does it mean my baby will be infected?
Dear Boitumelo, congratulations on your new baby. I am not sure what the drops are but this is best to ask your doctor or clinic. Also, it is good that you have been able to stop breastfeeding. Your own HIV treatment this will also have been good for your baby.
Hello. My baby is 3 months now and I still give him his drops. Should I stop or should I continue. I have stopped breastfeeding him when he was 10 weeks. He hasn’t been tested yet. Thnx
Hi Rumbie,
If you mean is it OK to give your baby formula, the answer is yes.
With formula milk there’s no risk to your baby.
Hie!! I’m hiv positive & my baby is 10 weeks, l want to stop breastfeeding.. Is it gonna be problem for my baby