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 Tshiamo.
The medication that your baby is on is an antibiotic, it isn’t an ARV. I’d ask your nurse why your baby has been given the ilvitrim. Has your baby been tested?
Hi am Tshiamo and am HIV+ and I jst breast feeded my baby for1month and stop to breast feed her now she is on formula only and the nurse stoped her from cipla nevirapin then after a month they give her a Ilvitrim suspension so I want to know that my baby will not be in danger when she take this syrup
Hi Ongezwa,
Here in the UK HIV positive women are recommended to feed only with formula. Switching between formula and breastfeeding can increase risk to your baby. Are you able to get formula milk? You can contact Treatment Action Campaign, they might be able to help with local support.
I am hiv+ woman on treatment with undetactable viral load and my baby is 2 weeks old can I stop formular and give breastmilk
Hi Whitney,
In the UK guidelines say to exclusively formula feed from birth. The World Health Organization (WHO) infant feeding guidelines that are for women in countries where formula feeding is not safe or available. WHO recommends that breastfeeding is safer if the mother or the baby receives HIV drugs. However, it’s not recommended to mix breastfeeding and formula.
Its possible to give ur baby formula milk after six Weeks of treatment?
Hi Blessing, It’s great that you’ve kept your viral load undetectable. And it’s really good that your baby tested negative at 3 months. Being undetectable is the important way to protect your baby, and also to keep yourself in good health. It sounds like she is fine, but if you are worried you can talk to the doctor about it.
Blessing: 10 April 2018
Hie , I’m HIV+ mom and breastfeeding my baby, and with undetectable viral load ,my question is I once gave my baby formula milk for just 1 day but after reading I discovered that it’s not good to mix breast and formula I then stopped giving her formula and went back on exclusive breast feeding ,will this make my baby become +?, she is 5 months old now n at 3 months she tested negative
Hi Lelo,
Please ask your babies doctor about this. They will be able to advise you.
Hi I just need to know how much to give my daughter the Cipla nevirapine, she’s only 2days old