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 Angelica,
These things won’t influence your baby being positive. However, babies only need milk, they don’t need water. Unless your doctor has said that the baby needs gripe water or panado they shouldn’t be having it.
I’m HIV+ and have a 3 week old baby who was tested negative and is on NVP. My family don’t know my status. Baby sometimes gets tummy aches so my mom gives him gripe water or Panado. She also gives him an ounce of warm water every morning to flush his tummy. My question is can any of this increase chances of transmission to baby?
Hi Wandy, How old is the baby? Young babies need milk, so formula milk is best. If the baby is not feeding well, you can ask the baby’s doctor what to do.
Hi is it okay to give baby gripe water if the mother tested positive?
Hi Banzy, Congratulations on having your baby. Yes you are right, guidelines say to either breastfeed or give the baby formula milk. But it sounds like your baby is doing well with formula and nestum. You can ask the doctor about your worries, and ask if it’s best just to carry on without breastfeeding. Guidelines are different in the UK than in other countries, as you can see from this question here.
Hi i’m hiv+ mom my baby is six weeks old he tested negative at birth n recieved nvp i brestfed him for a month but he doesn’t get full so i introduced formula as well as nestum while breastfeeding my worry is that i did research on how can that affect him have hiv i stopped him immediately breastfeeding and gave him formula only, can he get hiv while i’m taking my meds?
Hi Amanda,
Congratulations on the birth of your baby.
Unless a mothers viral load is undetectable breastfeeding isn’t recommended as there’s a risk of transmission. These guidelines do however differ depending on where it is that you live. If you live in the UK for example this isn’t something that would be supported.
Is there any reason why you don’t want to use formula?
Am a HIV+mom, gave birth true c-section, my baby is also on medication my viral load was 270 before I give birth and I want to breastfeed.
Hi Sammy,
Is there any particular reason why you want to give your baby gripe water or panado syrup?
Hi i am HIV positive mother and exclusively breastfeeding. Is it okay to give my baby Panado syrup or gripe water.