Question
I’m detectable and breastfeeding, is there a risk?
6 September 2018. Related: All topics, Children, HIV transmission.
If my viral load is detectable and I’m breastfeeding is my baby at risk? My baby is on medication.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Guidelines relating to breastfeeding and HIV positive mothers vary depending on where a woman lives globally. In the UK breastfeeding isn’t advised and this is even when someone has an undetectable viral load.
If a woman who is positive is breastfeeding when their viral load is detectable, then yes there is a risk of transmission. This is even if the baby is on medication. As to the level of risk its not possible to say. If in doubt the best and safest option is to give a baby formula.
Hi Lebo, congratulations on having a baby. It is great that you started treatment immediately. This is the best way to keep baby safe along with baby having their own treatment.
As baby is not breastfeeding there is no further risk of transmission to baby. How long into your pregnancy did you start treatment? Finding out your status late in pregnancy is common but with treatment more than 99% of women will go on to have healthy HIV negative babies.
Has baby had a test yet? and how old are they?
Lebo
Hi I stopped breastfeeding a week after birth because I found out I’m HIV positive later in my pregnancy but started treatment immediately. After birth they gave my baby nevirapine now I’m bottle feeding only no breastfeeding is my baby safe?
Hi Neo, congratulations on having a baby. Risk of transmission to baby is low. Because you have an undetectable viral load it means that there is only s small chance of transmission to baby.
This risk is smaller if you are only able to use breast milk however this is not suitable for all women. Have you been able to pump enough milk that your grandmother does not need to use formula milk while you are at work?
Hi I am breastfeed my 5weeks old and my viral load is less than detectable and since well I have been pumping milk for ger my grandmother is busy giving my baby fumula and water while am at work and I dont want to stop breastfeeding what are the chances of infecting her
Hi my viral load is detectable and I’m breastfeeding but want to stop. She is two weeks. Can I do so without harming the baby. We were both on meds.
Hi Angy,
If your viral load is detectable, it’s better that don’t breastfeed, your baby should be given formula milk. Yes you can change.
It’s good that your baby is taking medication as well as you.
Hi Enhle,
If your child hasn’t already had a HIV test, you need to get her tested. This is important due to the fact that you were feeding her with a detectable viral load. If your doctor told you to stop breastfeeding this is something that they should have talked to you about.
Now you’ve mentioned that you have a detectable viral load, are you taking medication? If you are how long have you been on it for?
Hi I’m an hlv mother my viral load is 6650 and i was brestfeeding for about 7 weeks and my doctor advised me to stop breastfeeding now I’m giving my baby formula milk (S26) she’s 12 weeks now I’m worried what are the chances of mother to child transmission
Hi Jane,
Please don’t be worried, but it’s important to see your doctor about symptoms of mastitis as soon as you can.
It’s great that you’re undetectable, and also if you’re breastfeeding only, then you’re doing all you can to protect your baby from HIV.
But mastitis can increase risk of HIV to your baby. Please see your doctor quickly, and talk about the best way to feed your baby now.