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 Anto,
That sounds like good advice from the nurse. Breastmilk is what babies who are this young need, not solid food.
It’s a good idea to try to keep in touch with the nurse. Talking to them about how to feed your baby can help stop you panicking.
My baby has been taking nevirapine since birth, yes. The nurse said I must STOP giving her solids until I decide to stop breastfeeding. She said I must not panicked about the baby’s results until we get them back next month. She does not have the symptoms of HIV though but I’m still worried
Hi Anto,
Sorry that you’re feeling stressed. But it’s good that your daughter tested negative at birth.
What did the nurse say about HIV treatment? Do you have access to your viral load result? Being undetectable can reduce the risk of HIV to your baby. Did the clinic give your baby HIV meds too?
If you are undetectable and you’ve given your daughter HIV meds you are doing what you can. There is an increased risk if you mix feed. But please talk to the nurse about the HIV treatment too.
Hello, I’m an HIV+ mother. My baby is 10 weeks old. I have been mixfeeding for about 3 weeks if not 4. Today I went for an HIV test and the nurse told me to STOP mixfeeding as it is not safe. Is it possible that she could be infected? At birth she was tested HIV negative. Please help as I’m stressed I can’t even sleep thinking what I would do if my baby is infected
Hi Princess,
You could switch back, however you need to be careful about mix feeding. Is your baby still taking medication?
I’m hiv+ with an undetectable viral load nd on arvs,my baby is 3 months I’ve been breastfeeding her exclusively, then decided to switch to formula now I feel guilty of doing so she’s not taking the formula well it’s been 5 days now,is it safe to switch to exclusively breastfeeding,pls help
Hi Princess,
Is your viral load result undetectable? That’s the best way to help protect your baby if you breastfeed.
But if she’s not taking formula you can talk to the doctor about switching back to exclusively breastfeeding. As Lisa says it’s better if you don’t mix feed with both breastmilk and formula.
I’m hiv + been breastfeed ing for 3 months now wanna give her formula the problem is she doesn’t want to take a bottle nd it’s been a day ,can I switch back to breasfeeding
Hi Zinhle,
As Lisa says above, if you want to stop breastfeeding at 3 months, the you can. But yes, it’s a really good idea to take him to the clinic and talk to the doctor about switching and testing.
Good luck with your college work.
Hai am HIV+ and i breastfeed my son hes now 3 months and the problem is next year January am going to collage.is it possible for me to stop breastfeeding and change to formula only is that not going to affect my sons life, should i take him to clinic for his HIV testing before switching to formula?