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 Ntombi, guidelines for breastfeeding are different depending on where you live and if you have access to clean water for the formula milk. In the UK, women are recommended to use formula milk. Please talk to your doctor and nurse about whether this might also be okay for you.
Hi i have a prem baby and HIV and the doctor advised me to breastfeeding. and now my baby is taking NVP how long doesn’t it take and my baby now is having a month can i change from breastfeeding to formula
Hi Ashlee, congratulations on you pregnancy. It is great that you viral load is already undetectable and this will also protect your baby. There is lots of information about breastfeeding, but the recommendations are different depending on your circumstances and your country. For example, recommendations in the UK are still to use formula milk rather than breastfeed because there is still a small risk to the baby. However, if countries where access to sterile water to make up the milk is difficult, the baby has better outcome from breastfeeding, so long as viral load is undetectable. Which country are you writing from?
I am 3 months pregnant and I was wondering if I can breastfeed if my hiv viral load is undetectable. My whole family and friends knows about this and my pregnancy. Any answers out there?
Hi Lihle, please talk to your doctor or nurse about this. In many countries, breastfeeding is safest for the baby. You doctor can give you advice on this and talk about your worries.
hi, i have twin babies which are 1 month old, I am breastfeeding and my Aunt is giving them cream of maize. They are also on nevaripine. They tested negative but I’m scared they will be infected.
Hi Portia,
Unless your mother is a health care professional, she isn’t qualified to say that your baby isn’t getting enough milk with formula. Try explaining to her that it is. That is unless you’ve been told otherwise. Babies at this age just need milk, that and nothing else.
With regards to telling your family, is there anyone who can support you to do this? What is their knowledge of HIV like?
Hi
Just had my baby 2weeks haven’t disclose my status to my family yet his taking nvp and pcr results were negative. His on formula but my mother feels it’s not enough what can I feed him ? & help me disclose to her as I’m scared.
Hi Nasipi.
Babies don’t need to have water when they are this young, therefore this is something that you should try and explain to your mother in law.
What’s your viral load?
I have a big problem wit my mother inlaw she is giving my baby water I told her not to give her anything but she is forcing..i am hiv + n my baby is – she is one week bt she is taking her med im worried that my baby wil be infected bcz im breastfeeding