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 am Blessing my baby is 5months plus an am HIV positive am also on exclusive breast feeding but recently he keeps crying all day an night I think the breast milk is not enough anymore his month is always on the nipple but yet he cries can I start giving him solid food now
Hi Spho,
First, many congratulations on the news of your new baby.
It’s great that your viral load is undetectable. Your HIV treament looks like it’s working very well. And it sounds like you’re doing all you can to keep your baby HIV negative.
Mix feeding with formula and breastmilk doesn’t mean that your baby is infected. But mix feeding can increase the HIV risk to your baby. So this is not recommended.
Using formula only is safe for your baby. But please talk to your doctor or nurse and discuss the best way to feed your baby. You can ask for their help and advice now that you’re not supplying enough breastmilk.
Am hiv positive an my viral load is undetectable and I have a 1month old baby who’s HIV neg.i have been breastfeeding for the past 4weeks and because am dnt supply enough breast milk I gave my baby formula and breast milk for the past 2days …does that mean my baby is infected
Hi Slindokuhle,
It’s great to hear that your 7 month daughter tested HIV negative.
And this sounds like it’s not a risk. But if you’re worried you can speak to your doctor and plan how to feed your daughter from now on. For example, you could ask if you can start to wean her onto soft food.
So it’s a good idea to talk to the doctor or clinic. They can give you the best advice on the best way to feed your baby now that she’s 7 months old.
Hi im HIV positive and on my daughter is now 7 months on formula, she was tested negative but this morning she accidentally suck on breast im not sure if she was able to get any milk from there, please help what can i do to make sure she doesnt get infected
Hi Lebogang.
Info about testing in babies can be found here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hi
I’m HIV positive and on Art treatment, my viral load is low and they said i could breastfeed. However I didn’t have enough milk when the baby was born so I opted for exclusive formula feeding. My baby is now 10 weeks, i was giving her NVP for the first six weeks. Now I’m giving her ilvitrim suspension. When will I know about her status?
Hi Nobuhle,
This website is for people who are HIV positive and their friends and family. Are you HIV positive too? If so please talk to your clinic about how you and your baby can have a check up.
Please let us know more about your HIV care and treatment.
Hey
Just wanted to know when can I take my child for check up
Hi Joy,
First, congratulations on the news of your new baby.
It’s great that your viral load is undetectable because that’s the best way to protect your baby from HIV. But mixing breastfeeding and formula feeding can increase the risk to your baby.
But it sounds like you’re doing all you can. Please talk to the clinic and ask for their advice on the best way to feed your baby. You can explain to them that you’re not producing enough milk.