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.
Can I give my 3 month old baby gripe water and panado ..I am botle feeding her
Hi Memory,
Nevirapine needs to be taken with other meds. If it’s taken alone it won’t work. There’s more info about Nevirapine here: http://i-base.info/guides/3543
Does nevirapine alone prevent transmission from mother to child or it should always be given with other medications
Hi Sophy,
What does your doctor say about your baby vomiting so much? Talking to your doctor is the best way to find out what’s the best way to feed him.
Please discuss this with your doctor. It’s a good idea to ask the doctor to give your son a check up too.
Hi
Am hiv and am giving my baby a formula since he was born so now the formula make him vomit to much so it is possible that I can breastfeed the baby he’s 2months now?
Hi Phumzile,
If you’re breastfeeding your baby should be on ARVs, this is something that you’ll need to discuss with your babies doctor as guidelines vary depending on where it is that someone lives. For example in the UK breastfeeding isn’t recommended and this is even if a woman’s HIV is under control.
With regards to giving your child medication other than ARVs, the quesiton is, why do they need other medication.
Am hiv positive and I’ve been giving my baby a naverapine for 6 weeks now it finished and am still breastfeeding is it possible that there is a risk and since should I give my baby more meds like panando and allegex
Hi Lebokgang,
Switching to formula is Ok. With regards to stopping your childs medication, this is something that you’ll need to discuss with your childs doctor.
Am HIV positive so my baby is 2months now I want to stop breastfeeding him and give him formula
So which means I can even stop giving him the med that doctor gave me
Hi Fortunate,
Thanks for replying so quickly. But it’s important you talk to your doctor about feeding your baby. You and your doctor can decide on what’s best from now on.
Please let us know how your treatment is going. And do you have support where you live? If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) at this link. They can help with local support.