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 Thembi,
Congratulations on the birth of your son.
If your viral load is undetectable then yes you can breastfeed and also give your son breast milk from a bottle. The important thing is not to mix feed.
Hi Lisa Thorley
I am HIV+ Mom and breastfeeding just had my son is 5days.and taking his ARV too. My question is that can I breast pump for him and breastfeed at the same time?
Hi Mpho,
Feeding guidelines for babies are that they should either be breastfeed or bottled feed. Mixed feeding isn’t something that is recommended, this is even when babies are on meds.
Will once off formula feeding increase my baby’s risk of infection even when he is taking nevirapine?
Hi Vuyi,
Please consult your babies doctor about this, they will be able to advice you.
I am HIV with undetected viral load my baby is 4 months old I was breast feeding only now I am switching over the formula. Do I stop the nivarapin syrub that I have been giving her immediately or she must continue for few weeks?
hi im hiv+ and pregnant.i decided to breastfeed.so my question is it okay to feed my baby breast milk and formula milk together?
Hi Thando,
Its not recommended to mix feed. Therefore, you should either breastfeed or give your baby formula. Do you have an undetectable viral load?
Hi Nokubonga,
If you want to change your baby to formula milk then you can. Its important though that you don’t mix feed. Info about co-trimoxazole can be found here:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/co-trimoxazole.html
Yes shes breastfeeding well bt I want to change her to formula now that am going back to work….and the other question what does bactrim(cotrimoxazole syr) do..