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 Zinhle,
Weight loss can be due to a number of issues, one of which is anxiety and stress. Modern ARVs don’t cause people to lose weight, if anything you put weight on. As your weight is an issue, you should talk to your doctor about. I say this as your HIV is under control.
With regards to you breastfeeding, this could help your weight, however you need to do what’s best for your baby. If you live in a country where it’s advise to breastfeed then you could continue. In the UK where i-base are based breastfeeding isn’t recommended.
I’m HIV positive on ARV’s for almost four years now but I’m not gaining weight instead I keep getting thinner what could be the problem.my viral load always come back saying undetectable,my family is worried about my health I’m even suffering from severe panick/anxiety disorders please help me .at the moment I’m breastfeeding my baby tested negative n he’s 5months old should I stop breastfeeding? Will it help with weight gain?my friend adviced me to buy cipla actin she says it really helps with weight gain please advise me is it safe to use those pills on my condition?if not what can I buy to assist me with weight gain and boost my immune system and improve my health something to assist my medication please help me
Hi Molote,
Babies born to positive mothers shouldn’t be mix feed, they need to be given either formula or breast milk, not both as this increases the risk of them being positive.
Babies as young as 3 months also shouldn’t be given solid food, they’re too young and don’t need to be given solids. This can also increase the risk of transmission.
You’re going to need to decide which method to use, be this formula or breast. Solids can be introduced at around 6 months.
I’m Hiv + and my 3 months old boy is negative I’m breastfeeding and giving him formula once a day and he is always crying now my mother is forcing me to give her soft porridge because she believes that he is crying because of hunger. Is it safe for my 3 months boy
Hi Yvonne,
Yes you can switch to formula, the important thing is that you don’t mix feed, so breast milk and formula.
Can i stop breastfeeding at 2months with viral load that is LTD am getting back to work and knocking off late
Hi Nelly,
If you’re asking if it’s OK to switch to formula, the answer is yes. With formula there’s no risk.
Am hiv positive and am breastfeeding iwant to give my baby formula since am going back at work and the milk doesn’t come out when I suck it so iwold lyk to know if it’s fine coz I’ve been breastfeeding for like two weeks
Hi Kimberly,
Breastfeeding guidelines vary depending on where it is that someone lives. For example in the UK were we are based, breastfeeding isn’t advised. If you want to continue to breastfeed, you’ll need to talk to your local health care professionals.
Am hiv positive with an undectateble viral load at 24 copies. My baby is 9 months and breastfeeding i wanted to change him to formula but he doesn’t want to feed formula. Will it be more risky if i breastfeed till 1 year 2 months. Please advice coz the clinic does not give much information.