Question

Can I change from breastfeeding my baby to formula milk?

5 January 2018. Related: All topics, Children, Pregnancy, Southern Africa.

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

Answer: Simon Collins

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.

64 comments

  1. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Lisa,

    As the above post notes, it’s OK to switch from breastmilk to formula. With formula there’s no risk.

  2. Lisa •

    Hi,I’m HIV positive and breastfeeding and I wanna change to formula my baby is a week old

  3. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Lulu,

    Yes you can change to formula, with formula there’s no risk. The important thing is that you don’t mix feed, so formula and breastmilk.

  4. Lulu •

    Hi I’m lulu I was breastfeeding while I was in the hospital but now I’m changing my baby to formula my baby is only five days old

  5. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Boity,

    Yes you can switch to formula, this won’t be an issue.

  6. Boity •

    I’m hiv positive and breastfeeding my baby will be turning 3 month next month can I change him to formula and stop breastfeeding,,, please help

  7. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Somi,

    What is it that you’re stressed about, has your child been tested?

  8. Somi •

    Hi I’m somi my baby is 3 months I’m positive and breastfeeding but i stopped breastfeeding start giving only formula and someone give her rooibos I’m stressed and she’s on novatrim

  9. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Ntombi,

    It’s not possible for me to say if your childs status will change, I know this is hard, but you’re going to need to wait.

  10. Ntombi •

    Hi ,I am hiv+ I mix fed my baby for 6 days with breastmilk and formula and first test for baby was negative…is my baby still safe?…he is 3 weeks old

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