Question
I’ve HIV and just had a baby, should I use formula?
25 October 2016. Related: All topics, Children, Disclosure, South Africa.
hi. I’m hiv positive and have given birth 5days ago. I’m currently on tribuss and undetectable. My family is too judgemental so i have not told anyone about my status. I’m feeding my baby formula but the problem is she has not pooped for 2days now and my family keeps on saying its because of formula i should breastfeed. I want to know if it is still safe for me to breastfeed even if i started by giving formula.
Answer
Congratulations on the birth of your child.
I appreciate that it can be hard to tell people about your status. You may also feel under more pressure because of having a baby. Because you are on treatment, how you choose to feed your child is your decision. The following though may help:
With regards to your baby pooing, this is normal in newborns. If however, you are concerned please talk to a doctor.
Good luck.
Hi Valerie,
Infant feeding guidelines vary depending on where someone lives. Where is it that you live? What’s your viral load?
my baby he’s navirapine should I give him also formula
Hi Khomotscho,
Until a baby is 6 months old they don’t really need anything other than milk. With regards to other medicines this will all depend on what they are. If you’re in any doubt please talk a doctor.
my baby is on formula and neveripin can I give the baby softporrige or other medicine
Hi Vovo,
There is nothing wrong with feeding your baby formula. The advice for mothers to breastfeed for only 6 months is because some mothers live in countries where there is no access to formula or clean bottles. So they don’t have a choice.
But formula is fine, there’s nothing wrong with it at all.
Im hiv positive mother i give my baby formula is there anything wrong with that. I have just told today that the hiv positive mother should breastfeed only for 6 months, nw my baby is having 11 days
Hi Zizipho,
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter.
If you’re on treatment, then the World Health Organisation recommendations are, are that you can breastfeed. You do though need to be on treatment. If you are no longer on treatment, then you will need to give your baby formula.
If you’re on treatment then you need to stick to one type of feeding. So, either breast or formula. Its important not to mix feed. For more on this please see the following:
http://i-base.info/qa/6656
I’m a positive mom. I gave birth on the 22 December 201 and I’m breastfeeding. I started treatment during my second month of pregnancy till I gave birth. They gave my baby nevirapine. I want to know if I should I give her something else like formula and purity.
Hi Lizzy, if you are HIV positive and pregnant, then it is essential that you use HIV treatment. This is both for your health and for your baby. Please talk to your doctor about this.
hi iam lizzy itested positive but m nt taking treatment will that affect me after giving birth.