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 Beauty,
It’s great that your VL was undetectable when your baby was born. And bottle feeding him takes away any risk there might be from breastfeeding. Gripe water will not have an effect on his zidovudine treatment. So all sounds good. Here in the UK babies are tested for HIV when they are born, at six weeks and again at three months. If all these tests are negative, and you are not breastfeeding, your baby does not have HIV. Here’s a link to this page in the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi
I am an hiv+ mother with a son who is on formula and zidovudine. They started feeding him soft porridge and gripe water and we haven’t tested him yet and i am worried about his status. My vl was undetectable when i had him. Is there a chance of him being infected?
Dear Jessica,
I’m sorry your baby doesn’t sound very well. But we are not doctors, and if you think he is in pain or feverish, it’s important you go to the doctor quickly and tell them about the symptoms.
Hi. Is it ok to give my baby panado just a little
Like 1,5ml and then continue breastfeeding. He’s 6wks today and on NVP. Could one dose affect his status?
Hi Felo,
Its great to hear that you’re undetectable and that your baby has tested negative.
With regards to food, in the UK its not recommended to give babies solid food until they’re 6 months old. However, this may be different where you live.
Babies need milk for the first year of their lives, be this breast milk or formula. Your child will need to have one of these.
hi my bby is 3 months and my family want to start giving him water and food m on meds nd his results ws negative aftr 6 wks nd my results are undetactable what should i du stop breastfeeding and give him food?
Hi Anita,
Your baby won’t be at a greater risk of being positive because your mother gave her water and soft porridge. You are right however in saying that your baby doesn’t need water, and she definitely shouldn’t be being given any form of solid foods.
Hi, I’m an HIV excl breastfeeding mother. My CD4 is 510 and undetectable vl . My daughter is 6 weeks and is on nvp. We haven’t got her results but I hope it’s negative. When my daughter was 2wks my mom made baby soft porridge for her using my breast milk about 3-4 times. Until I read she’s in serious danger and that I shouldn’t give her anything but milk. My mom doesn’t know about my stats and we fight a lot cause she’s doesn’t believe me when I tell her babies that small don’t need water. What are the chances my baby could have been infected.
Hi Beatrice,
There are reasons why mothers can’t carry on breastfeeding. But sometimes mothers can be worried that being seen to be bottle-feeding will identify them as HIV positive.
If you do not wish to tell anyone that you are breastfeeding because you are positive, your doctor or midwife can help you with reasons to explain why you are bottle feeding. For example, you can say you have cracked nipples or that the milk didn’t come, both of which are common.
You can read more about this subject here.
Hi Am Hiv+ My Baby Is 5month Nw And My Parents Want To Start Giving Her Water & Food But They Are Not Aware Of My Status. Dont Know What To Do Now