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 I’m hiv+ mom my son is 3 weeks he tested- after birth I am giving him s26 he’s been constipated i think it started when he ws a week old gave him milk of magnesium until it gets finished it did helped him
I then took him to his peadetrician he ws given a syrup and some pills but they did not helped him, and the dr suspected that i didn’t mix well the formula…..now he’s always restless trying to poop nothing comes out sometimes he cries day and night now my family wants me to give him traditional meds is it safe ?
Hi Nicole,
Yes babies can have medication for colic, it is however important that if you want to give your child any other medication that you discuss this with a healthcare professional.
Hi, my baby is 3 weeks old nd my family wants to give Telament Colic drops because they think baby is constipated is safe to do so while baby is taking Nvp syrup? Can we give him any medication or should we wait until six weeks
Hi Zama,
Your baby needs to be given their medication at roughly the same time every day, this is important as it will ensure that they have enough medication in their system.
Hi
I am a hiv+ mom my son is 5 days old and we still waiting on our results. My family doesn’t know my status and I hid giving my son his meds will it affect him if I give him at different times?
One day in the morning and another in the afternoon?
Hi Podisi,
It’s great to hear that your babies first test was negative, this is a good sign. Yes babies born to positive mothers can be given gripe water.
Hi I’m hiv+ my baby is 3 weeks old and hiv- can I give her gripe water because she can’t sleep her abdomen is full of gases.thank you
Hi Pab,
If you’ve had issues with crack nipples, the safest thing to do is to continue bottle feeding your baby. With formula milk there’s no risk.
Just to note, babies this young don’t need water, they need milk.
My name is Pab and I am HIV positive with a viral load of 46 copies and cd4 of 409.
I have a newborn baby who is 3 days old. I started with breastmilk and water but 3 days later I noticed my breasts were cracking and I decided to give my baby formula. I feel bad for giving her formula. Is it possible to change back to breastmilk and will it have any impact on my baby whats so ever?
I haven’t received my babies first results as well. Should I be worried or is my baby safe?
Hi Sibongile,
It’s good to hear that your sons first test was negative, this is a good sign.
With regard to you mix feeding, it’s not possible to say what impact that may or may not have on your child, hence the reason for them to be tested.