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.
Linda
Hi Im HIV+ and I have a 5 month old baby and she’s Negative I want to know if I should stop breastfeeding so that I can give her solid food and Formula milk cause Im not having enough breast milk
Hi Eunice,
It’s great that your childs’ first test was negative, however to know for sure if your child is going to be negative they need to be tested several times. Please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
All babies born to positive mothers MUST be given a course of ARVs, this is important as the following explains: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/will-baby-need-hiv-drugs. Even if your child has so far not had any medication, they need to take it. Please take your child to the clinic, and make sure they are given access to medication. You should also make a formal complaint.
Babies this young shouldn’t be given food, their digestive system isn’t mature enough. All babies need until they’re 6 months old is milk. Ideally this should be formula as there’s no risks with formula milk. You’re going to need to tell your mother to stop giving your baby food as it could increase the risk of your baby being positive.
The risk are low, however there are risks.
Hi I’m on arvs and I have a 6weeks baby. She tested nagative the thing is since from birth they forget to give me nvp for her n now I’m stressed cos I’ve been breastfeed her and my mom was giving her food. Are there any chances of her being positive
Hi Joe,
If you want to ensure that there’s no risk, then formula is the best option for your baby. It’s also important that you don’t keep switching between breast and formula as this can increase the risk of transmission. As your baby is so young they should be taking ARVs, are they doing this?
I am HIV positive,am taking my medication rite,my baby is 3 weeks I was not producing enough milk,so after breast feeding for 2days,I change in to formula,den after formula back to breast feeding ageing I felt y I was robing my child if am not breast feeding,do u think my baby may be infected,pls am always stressful
Hi Thando,
First, many congratulations on the news that you’re going to have a baby.
And, although pregnant women are often advised against taking many medicines, this is not the case with HIV drugs.
Millions of women have taken these drugs all over the world. This has resulted in many healthy HIV negative babies.
Please see much more info in this guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi I’m 2 months pregnant I want to know is Tribuss good for a pregnant woman?
Hi Lebo,
First, many congratulations on the news that you’re going to have a baby.
It’s great that you’re ready to start your HIV treatment (called ART). ART can reduce the HIV risk to your baby to close to zero. And millions of women have taken these meds, all over the world. This has resulted in many healthy HIV negative babies.
Please talk to your doctor about your treatment and about what HIV meds you can take.
There’s lots of info in this guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hey am 3 months pregnant and I just recently tested HIV positive so am ready to take ma medication is ma baby gonna be healthy and negative
Hi Blessing,
First, many congratulations on the news of your new baby boy.
It’s great that you’re exclusively breastfeeding. It sounds like you’re doing everything you can.
But please talk to the doctor or nurse about him crying all day and night. It’s a good idea to ask the doctor to give him a check up to find out why he’s crying so much.
You can also ask about the best way to feed him if you think you’re not producing enough milk. Your doctor and nurse can give you the best advice on this.