Question
Can I stop breastfeeding at 3 months?
2 May 2017. Related: All topics, Children.
Can I stop breastfeeding at 3 months instead of 6 cause my family doesn’t know and I have to go back to work.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
How long you breastfeed for is up to you. If you want to stop at 3 months then you can. If you’d like to continue to give your baby your milk, you could express it and give it to them in a bottle. Is this something that you’ve thought about?
If you do stop giving them your milk, its better that you don’t mix feed.
Hi Athandwa,
Breastfeeding guidelines vary depending on where a woman lives. In the UK women aren’t advised to breastfeed, this is even if their HIV is under control. In some countries, namely in Sub Saharan Africa if a woman has an undetectable viral load then they will be encouraged to breastfeed. If this is your case, then yes you can breastfeed for a few months then switch to formula.
Am a HIV+ mother i would like to know if it okay to breastfeed my baby for like two months only than give her a formula cause she’s negative?? Will she be okay and not get infected??
Hi Buhle,
Yes, breast pumps are good so that you can put your milk in a bottle in the fridge for later.
But how’s the treatment going? What meds are you taking and do you have access to your viral load? Please let us know.
If you need local support in South Africa, you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign at this link.
Can I use breast pump if i’m taking HIV medication for 6 months
Hi Thembeka,
This website is a resource for people who are HIV positive. If you are HIV positive and taking HIV meds, it’s recommended to breastfeed exclusively for six months only.
Please talk to your doctor or nurse and ask what pills you need to take.
Good Day
i need to stop breastfeeding my 15 months old daughter which pills can i use in order for the breast milk not to produce
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for this comment. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve edited your comment. That’s because this website gives information about HIV treatment to people who are HIV positive. So there are special recommendations for feeding your baby if you’re an HIV positive mother.
Yes, it’s okay to stop breastfeeding when YOU choose.
Hi Tina,
As Lisa says below, Yes you can switch to formula at 3 months. The important thing is not to mix breastfeeding and formula at the same time.
Switching to formula only sounds fine. But please talk to the doctor about the best way to feed your baby when your baby is born.
Hi! I’m new here I would like to know if I can breastfeed my unborn child, I’m hiv and undetectable viral load. Please become my husband is negative and he don’t now that I’m on ART..I just want to breastfeed for 3mnth while I’m on maternity leave…then switch on formula. Please advise me.