Question
My family are giving my baby water, is this OK?
4 April 2017. Related: All topics, Children.
I’m HIV+ mother and my baby is 3wèeks old . My CD4 count was 311 and undetectable viral load. I’m breastfeeding her and my family don;t know about my status. She tested HIV – n. Shes taking her meds as well (nvp). My worry is that now my mom believe the baby needs water so we giving her water almost every day and my breast milk is not enough for her as shes always sucking me. They say she doesn’t get full so we must feed her. I would to know what are the chances of my baby being HIV +
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
And congratulations on the birth of your daughter. Its also great to hear that she’s already tested negative.
Your family giving your daughter won’t influence her possible status. However, babies who are this young don’t need water. What they need is milk, and milk alone. If you feel like you aren’t producing enough milk, you may need to change to formula. However, if you do this, you must not mix feed.
The best thing to do would be to speak to your babies doctor. They will be able to tell you if she’s growing or not. If its any help some babies suckle more than others.
Hi Petunia,
Congratulations on the birth of your son.
Mixed feeding isn’t something that’s recommended, however your son should be OK. Its important that your aunt doesn’t feed your child formula though. Babies this young also do not need water.
Hi,I’m HIV + with low Viral load (undetectable),my baby boy is 8days old today tested negative after birth,he is on NVP for 6weeks. I’m breastfeeding him but he seems like he is not getting full,my aunt gave him formula for a day,every morning she gives him water+gripe water,will this influence his status when we go back for testing after 6weeks. I’m scared he migh be infected.
Hi Lerato,
Please consult a doctor about this. They’ll be able to advice you on what you should give your baby.
Hi my baby is on formular and I am giving him nevirapine so the stool stoped coming out so m worried on what to give him for the stool to come out because it looks painful
Hi Glory,
This is something that you’ll need to talk to a healthcare professional about, so someone who specializes in infant feeding.
I’m HIV positive and my baby is -HIV. Breastfeeding for 6 months and now I’m starting him on food and formula. How do I wean him into formula cold turkey without breastfeeding him at all? He’s really suffering I’m beginning to regret starting him on formula because he refuse to suck
Hi Lebogang,
How old is your baby? Are you ready to wean him onto soft food? In countries where formula milk and clean bottles are not available, the guidelines say that you should exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. You can then wean baby onto soft food. But mixing breastfeeding with bottle feeding can increase the risk to your baby. Please discuss how you’re feeding him with the doctor. And ask for advice if you think he’s not getting full. You can read more here on Angelina’s answer to a similar question.
Hello
I am breastfeeding and hiv + and my child tested hiv – when he was born.is the any risk of feeding my child soft porridge and breastfeed at the same time? My child cries a lot and seems like he is not getting full so was thinking of giving the porridge and he is on treatment.virumune
Hi Lebogang,
It’s great that your viral load was undetectable when your baby was born. But mixed feeding is not recommended. However, switching exclusively to formula sounds okay.
Hi
What are chances of switching from breastfeeding to formula if you are hiv+ and my vl was low than detectable the child was hiv- when he was born and still waiting for another six weeks test?