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 Sibongile,
Breastfeeding guidelines vary from country to country. In the UK you’d be advised to formula feed, this is even if your HIV is under control. Where do you live globally?
Hi doc I’ve given birth 3days ago n I have 25 copies of the virus, at the place where I gave birth they said I must use formula though I wanted to breastfeed, is it OK to switch or I’m putting my sons life at risk, he took the test cos it was a normal birth still waiting for the results.
Hi Glory.
Breastfeeding guidelines vary depending on where a person lives. If you were in the UK you’d be supported to formula feed. If this isn’t an issue, then as long as your viral load is undetectable and your baby is on medication then in many countries breastfeeding would be an option. Are you able to talk to your baby’s doctor about this?
good morning doctor, please help I gave birth on 3 of April and I was using formula for my baby but now I want to switch to breastfeeding because the father can’t afford the money again, please, I don’t want my baby to contact this virus. is my baby safe ?
Hi Thandiwe,
Yes its OK to give your child formula when you go back to work. In fact this is the prefered method in a lot of countries.
I am hiv mother of a newborn and I do breast feeding my viral load is 121 and my son is on cipla nevaropene the problem is I will be going back to work soon my I give my child formula
Hi Khukhu,
This all depends on where you live and what your health is like. If you live in a country in Sub Saharan Africa, if your viral load is undetectable then you’d be advised to breastfeed. However, if you’re in the Europe or the US then breastfeeding won’t be recommended. This is even if your HIV is under control.
With formula feeding there is no risk to a baby.
Hi… I’m HIV positive and pregnant soon I’ll be having my baby. So which is the best way to feed my baby?
Hi Leah,
Though mixed feeding isn’t recommended, if its just been a few times this is unlikely to be an issue with your child. It is however important that you decide which feeding method it is that you’d like to use and stick to that. So, breast or formula. There’s more info in this guide: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi I gave my 5days both formula and breastfeeding &my viral load is 38..am on ARV & she is also taking nevirapine.. Can I infact her?..advise please