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.
Hello
Trying which formula the infant is comfortable with is not a problem right?!
I was giving him Infacare we did not have much problem he slept most of the time with constipation now and then ,now m using Lactogen he wakes up every hour or two going back to Infacare won’t be a problem for him?
Hi Sammy,
It sounds like you’re doing all you can to take care of your baby. It’s good you’re feeding him exclusively on formula.
But please talk to your doctor or nurse about his constipation. They can advise on the best treatment for him.
Hello
Now that my baby is exclusively on formula and still taking his meds what are the dangers he can face because formula makes him to be constipated and i end up giving him water.
Hi Unknown,
Ideally your baby needs to continue to be on ARVs, this is whilst you’re breastfeeding. Are you able to go back to the clinic and ask them why they haven’t given your baby any more ARVs.
Gripe water can be given to babies born to positive mothers.
Hi
I’m Hiv positive and breastfeeding my 2 month year old baby, my baby was given Cipla nivaropin but now it’s finished at the clinic we weren’t given anything else. Will I infect my baby if I continue breastfeeding?another thing is it fine give my baby gripe water while breastfeeding?
Hi Mvuyi,
Please take your child to see a doctor. They will be able to help.
Hi my son is 9weeks old and was tested negative after birth but now am starting to suspect that I infected my son I was giving him paracetamol because he was always crying I thought maybe there is something wrong with him but I wasn’t mix feeding him and now my son has rash on face and body and its itchy please help
Hi Sammy,
Infant feeding for a positive mother can be at times very difficult, especially when those around you aren’t aware of your status. But you’re right, you can’t mix feed. If you do there is an increased risk to your child. With formula there is also no risk at all.
Babies can and do get constipated, please see the following: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a79/constipation-in-babies
You baby is going to be OK, and you’ll get used to not breastfeeding, just try not to be so hard on yourself.
Hello
Stating on Tuesday i started formula on my 3 weeks old baby, and told the nurse on Thursday of what i did,but now my baby is constipated it is heart breaking seeing him cry,knowing that i can’t mix feed him like hiv-people,and leaving with the secret of my status is not helping now my mom is coming up with ideas on how to make me produce more milk,switching again will create problems for me and the baby right! ?I want to breastfeed but i’m afraid that i wont produce more milk and his appetite has grown. help
Hi Light,
Please can you make your comment a bit easier to understand? It looks like you’re doing all you can. Your viral load is undetectable and your CD4 is strong.
Please let us know.