Q and A

Question

Can I change from breastfeeding my baby to formula milk?

Hi, I am HIV + and I take my ART very well. My baby tested negative on the first day of birth on the second day the results were insufficient but on the 3rd day the results were negative again …..I am breast feeding and giving my baby nevarapine but I am planning on stopping  breast feeding after a month and formula feed because I will not be always around to take care of baby. I am avoiding mix feeding, is this wise?

Answer

Hi

Thanks for your question and congratulations on your new baby. It sound like you are doing an amazing job of looking after your baby and the test results are really good.

Because guidelines for breastfeeding are linked to where you live, including the country and if this is in the city or countryside, please ask your doctor or nurse these questions.

i-Base is in the UK and guidelines in SA are sometimes different.

You are right that if it us important to exclusively use either breastfeeding only or formula milk only. If your circumstance make it important to change this is also usually okay, but your clinic can give you the best information about how and when to do this.

62 comments

  1. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Sanah,

    It’s great to hear you’re on ARVs because that’s the way to look after your health and your baby’s health. Changing to only using formula, and not breastfeeding too, will not put her at risk.

    But please talk to your doctor or nurse about the best way to feed your baby. They are the ones who know about your baby’s treatment. So they are best at giving you advice now that she’s 6 months old.

    It’s great that she’s playing and looking happy. It sounds like you’re doing all you can.

  2. Sanah

    Hi i started to give my baby a formula today and his 5 to 6 months and im HIV positive, will that put child at risk as im about to go back to work, im on ARVs since i discover about my status. And i noticed that she cries alot so added 3 spoon of baby soft porridge and now she’s playing and looking happy. Please advise futher .

  3. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Nomvula,

    Yes you can change to formula, this won’t be an issue. With formula there’s no risk.

  4. Nomvula

    Hi I’m hiv positive and my virus is undeatatable my son is one month all along I was breastfeeding him but now don’t have milk at all can I change him to formula

  5. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Kimberly,

    First congratukations on the news of your 6 month old baby. It’s good that he tested HIV negative again.

    So it’s sounds like you’re doing all you can.

    But please talk to your doctor or nurse about the best way to feed your baby. Formula only feeding should be fine. But if you do stop giving him your milk, its better that you don’t mix feed with breastmilk and formula milk. Mix feeding can increase HIV risk to your baby.

    So please talk to your doctor or nurse about the best way to feed your baby. They can give the best advice to you about this.

  6. Kimberly

    Hy am an hiv mother who is undectateble and i have been breastfeeding for 6 months. I enjoy breastfeeding and my baby tested negative again. I was thinking to start formula feeding but am afraid my baby will affected by this change. Can you please advise. Whats the best i can do. It it wise to breastfeed until his 1 year? Or to go ahead n cut him off now

  7. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Titwalo,

    First, many congratultaions on the news of your baby. It sounds like you’re doing all you can for your baby.

    But as it says on this Q&A, guidelines for breastfeeding are linked to where you live, including the country and if this is in the city or countryside. Please ask your doctor or nurse these questions. They can give you the best advice.

    But it’s important to exclusively use either breastfeeding only or formula milk only.

  8. Titwalo

    Hi I’m hiv positive I don’t know my viral load yet I gave birth 1 day ago, I’m formula feeding I want to change to breastfeeding is these a wise decision n my baby I’m giving her medication

  9. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Lindough,

    Please talk to your doctor about the safest way to feed your baby. This is because different countries have different guidelines for HIV mothers about how to feed their babies.

    For more info please see this guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health. There’s a lot of info in this, including for after babies are born.

  10. Lindough

    HIV positive was giving him formula bt want to change to breastfeed him he is 5weeks

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *