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.
My 3months baby girl doesn’t want her formula anymore and I don’t breastfeeding what should I do now
Hi Beauty,
Yes it’s OK to introduce solid foods to your daughter as well as continue to give her milk. This won’t be an issue. I’m taking it that your viral load is undetectable.
Hi lisa
I am a mother and I am pos I have a 6 months old baby she tested negative for now I am breastfeeding her and giving her doctrim suspension as well so I am about to give her food is it safe to do so?
Hi Zozipho,
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter.
Yes you can change to formula, this won’t be an issue. The important thing is that you don’t give your daughter both formula and breast milk at the same time.
Hi Im Hiv positive, am on treatment. I jst gave birth my daughter is on nevirapine and am breadfeeding alone but i want to change her after a month to a formula alone can i change her.
Hi Phelisa,
Congratulations on having a new baby girl.
If you are not breastfeeding then there’s no extra risk to your baby. Feeding only with formula is safe so there can’t be an extra risk from sugar water.
But if you are worried about her constipation please to talk to your doctor about it.
My baby she is 3weeks old and she on nevirapine treatment I’m not breastfeeding is it safe to give her sugar water after feeding formula because of her constipation?
Hi Lulu,
Babies born to positive mothers shouldn’t be mix feed, they need to be on either breast milk or formula. If possible formula is the preferred method as there’s no risk of transmission.
Do you mean bactrim? And is your baby on ARVS?
My baby is 8 weeks and I am mix feeding and she is taking dactrim is it risky.
Hi Zanele,
Congratulations on your new baby. It’s great that she tested HIV negative.
But please talk to your doctor about your baby’s constipation. It’s a good idea to ask them about your HIV treatment too. Please make sure you look after your own health as well as your baby’s.
Here’s the guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.