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.
Dear Nokubonga,
It’s great that your baby tested negative. As Lisa says on this question if your Mom gives her water it won’t make her positive. Is she breastfeeding well? You can talk to your doctor if you are worried about her in any way.
I am hiv+ and my baby tested negative at weeks nd breastfeeding but am worreid my mom give her water…she tested for 10 weeks now am worried about results…is there any risk of her to be positive
Hi Matshidiso,
Its great to hear that your baby has already tested negative.
Its fine for babies who’s mothers are positive to be breastfeed as well as eat solid food, this won’t increase their chances of being positive. However, 3 months is quit young to be thinking about giving a baby solids. In the UK its recommended to start solids when a baby is 6 months old.
Hi I’m Matshidiso
I’m HIV+ and my son is 3months and he is taking NVP.My question is that can I breastfeed him and give him food at the same time or this will increase the chance of him to b HIV+ bcs now he tested negative and I was taking my medication well during my pregnancy?
Hi Kgalalelo,
This should be OK. However, you should discuss this with your babies doctor before you give your child gripe water when on ARVs.
Is It safe to use gripe water if the two month old baby is on nevirapine?
Hi Mary, guidelines are difficult in different countries and depending on your circumstances. If it is not safe to use formula milk, then exclusive breastfeeding is safer as long as your viral load is undetectable. You also have to be careful to check that you nibbles are healthy and not cracked and that your own health is good (ie within stomach problems etc).
hi, my doc told me that is OK to breastfeed my baby for at last one year and the baby is not on NVP is my baby safe?…. my viral load is undetectable
Hi Ayanda, congratulations on your new baby. If you were taking HIV meds during pregnancy, this will have refused the risk of problems and will have protected your baby as well as your health. Please talk to your doctor if you are worried, but it is much more likely that your baby will be okay.
Hi I’m Ayanda
I have a four days old baby and my hiv status is HIV+. I’m on treatment my worry is that I’m breastfeeding and my baby wasn’t given NVP until today the 4th day of her arrival. What are the chances of her being infected?