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.
I started my Arv’s when I was 4 months pregnant and my family dont know about my status my baby is three days ols and he started taking navirapine on the third day will he be affected by HIV ?
Hi Milly, congratulations on your baby. Yes, it is almost definite that your child will test negative. Do you know your viral load? Given that you have been on treatment for so long it is likely that your viral load is below 1000? If this is the case your pregnancy would be considered very low risk for transmission.
Formula feeding will further reduce the risk of transmission along with the 6 weeks of Bindopin that baby has had. Why is baby still on Bindopin? As you are formula feeding there is no further risk from breastfeeding and continuing is not a clinical recommendation.
Many HIV positive women all over the world give birth to healthy, HIV negative babies. Often finding out their status much later than yourself. Has baby already been tested?
Hi am Milly my baby is 9 weeks l have not breastfeed since l delivered with Csection. She is only bottle feed. she is on nvp when l went for 6weeks was given Bindopin to continue with. I have been on treatment since 2010 never stopped. Is there a chance my baby will test negative.
Hi Dieketseng
Please follow the advice from your doctor about dosing. This is not related to breastfeeding but to proection from HIV during pregnancy and at birth.
If the baby stopped breastfeeding is it necessary to give her Adco Zidovudine Syrup
Hi Immaculate, thanks. Please don’t worry. Although your baby should only receive milk, the sip of water will not stop nvp working. Going forward though, please tell your mum that your only want your baby to drink milk.
I’m immaculate.im a breastfeeding mom.my baby is 1 week.my mom gave him a sip of water and my baby is on nvp.is my baby be infected with HIV.. worried mom
Hi Tum, congratulations on your new baby. This should be an exciting time but also very stressful if you have family concerns.
i-Base can help with some information but you really need to talk to your doctor about all these questions.
Babies should not have solid food for the first six months. Whether from bottle or breast, they just need milk. The doctor needs to know about the problems at home.
Please also keep taking your own ARVs plus make sure that the baby is taking their medicine too.
I started my Arv’s wen I was 34weeks,n it was 285 load.since ma family dnt knw abt ma status they are giving her mix food(solid food) bcouz she refuse bottle n also breastfeeding bcouz of work is ma baby safe,she taking nevirapine
Hi Tholakele, how much do you mean by ‘a lot’? How does baby seem to you? Do they seem uncomfortable or are they happy?