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 Zizipho,
Guidelines relating to breastfeeding vary from country to country. In the UK even with an undetectable viral load its not recommended.
If your partner is going to be with you when you give birth, you may wish to tell him about your status. I’m saying this as there’s the possibility that one of the nurses could mention something about your status. Also as you may be aware your baby will need to be on medication when they are first born.
You’ve mentioned infected, are you referring to your partner or the baby?
Hi There.
I am 36 weeks pregnant HIV+ with undetectable viral load and CD4 of 826. My partner doesnt know about it as he has been out of the country and he will return closer to the arrival of the baby. Is it possible to breastfeed the baby to atleast a month or 2 before I could change to a formular. Im worried about what are the chances of him being infected
Hi Mara,
In the UK its not recommended that babies born to positive mothers breastfeed their children. This includes mothers who have an undetectable viral load. However, the recommendations around breastfeeding vary from country to country. If you are thinking about switching from formula to breast then please talk to a healthcare professional about this where you live.
I’m have a baby of one week tested negative and my viral load is 26. and I want to change from formula to breastfeeding. Isn’t risky.
Hi Phumi,
Congratulations that it’s almost time for your baby to be born. Being undetectable benefits your health, and it can also reduce the risk of HIV to your baby to close to zero.
But in the UK it’s not recommended that HIV positive mothers breastfeed. Formula is recommended instead. But in countries around the world it’s not always possible to bottle feed. So in some countries breastfeeding is recommended exclusively for 6 months, after that mothers can wean their babies onto solid food.
You can talk to the clinic about HIV tests and treatment for your newborn. And you can also talk to the clinic about your breastfeeding plans.
Hi,
I’m I just want to know if the babies tested negative at 18 months from the moms who were breastfeeding their babies while pregnant.
I’m 39 weeks hiv+ and undetected viral load and willing to breastfeed for three months
Hi Lili,
Its great to hear that your baby has so far tested negative, this is a good sign.
If you’re breastfeeding then your baby should be on HIV meds. Bactrim isn’t an ARV. If you decide to change to formula you’ll need to stop breastfeeding as mixed milk feeding isn’t recommended.
Hie …am HIV+ with viral load of 21 and my 7 months old baby tested neg at birth and six weeks .I have been breastfeeding for six months and now I introduced solids at six months and still breastfeeding .should I continue giving my baby bactrim .is it also good to give formula also .
Hi Pru,
Mixed feeding isn’t something that is recommended, so you’ll need to choose which feeding option is better for your child. If they aren’t putting on enough weight then this may be formula milk. I’d talk to your child’s nurse or doctor about this before you make any possible changes.
My son is 6 weeks old and I have been exclusively (I am undetectable and HIV+), he seems not to be getting full and not picking up enough weight, can I give him formula and breast milk at the same time?