Question
Can I mix feed?
3 May 2020. Related: All topics, Children.
I have a 10 weeks old infant and she tested negative at birth. However I\'m having sleepless nights, waiting in anticipation for her results as she got tested again when I took her for her 10 weeks vaccination. When I gave birth the doctor advised that I could mix feed since my CD4 count is 889 and viral load is undetectable but the nurse disagreed and said I should choose one so I chose breastfeeding. However, I have not disclosed my status at home and my mom constantly insists on mix feeding,solid feeding (cerealec) and giving her medication (Muthi wenyonyi,Qhuma,Lenon medicines,Panado,gripe water and Scott Emulsion) and now I’ve decided to stop breastfeeding once and for all. What are the chances of my daughter’s results coming out positive?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
What your doctor told you is wrong. Babies born to HIV positive mothers need to be either formula fed or breastfed. However, guidelines on which method to use vary depending on where it is that a woman lives. For example in the UK where i-base are based, women aren’t advised to breastfeed. However, in South Africa they are as long as their viral load is undetectable.
The important thing is that babies need to be either be formula feed or breastfeed, not both.
You’ve mentioned that your baby is also being give solids. Your baby is too young to be given solids and this includes porridge. Introducing solids too early can increase the risk of a baby being positive. Therefore, this is something that you’re going to need to think about.
Your child is being given a lot of things that they simply do not need. Unless your child is unwell all they need is milk and milk alone.
If your child is taking ARVs, (which they should be as your breastfeeding) you need to be careful of possible interactions. This is why it’s important to talk to your childs doctor first before giving them any other medication.
If you aren’t ready to tell your family about your status, this is of course up to you. You do however need to be very clear with them about what your baby can and can’t have.
Hi Botle, congratulations on having a baby and yes you can continue breastfeeding. You can breastfeed for as long as you and baby are happy.
Hello there
My viral load is LDL, can I continue breastfeeding my 3 month old?
Hi Botle, congratulations on having a baby.
What has your doctor recommended? and are you on treatment yourself?
Has baby had a test to confirm their status now that you have stopped breastfeeding?
The most common recommendation is that baby does not need nevirapine after 6 weeks of birth. This remains true regardless of how they are being fed. Nevirapine as no further benefit to prevent HIV transmission from 6 weeks and older. In this case it would be recommended to stop nevirapine but this should be checked with your prescribing doctor.
Good Day
I stopped breastfeeding my 3 month old baby and she’s now on formula, should I continue to give her Nevirapine
Hi Nelly, congratulations on having a baby. Are you and baby on treatment? and if you are do you know your viral load?
If you are able to switch only once and then continue exclusively breastfeeding it would be safe to do this. Risk increases when switching often between formula and breastmilk. This causes irritation to baby’s tummy (before the age of 6 months) which is the cause of increased transmission risk.
I need assistance, my baby is 3 weeks old , I really want to breastfeed but my milk supply was not coming out at all until now . Is it still possible for me to breastfeed my baby switch from formula to exclusive breastfeeding?
Hi Candace, congratulations on having a baby. After 6 months there is no risk of mixed feeding. You have not put baby at risk of infection.
At 6 months baby has a developed tummy. This means there is no irritation to baby’s tummy caused by switching between feeds. It is this irritation that can cause a risk of infection. As this is no longer a problem, it is safe to give baby both types of feed.
Hi my baby is 6 months old. I recently stared mixed feeding as to wean him off of my Breastmilk, so I can exclusively give him formula. My viral load is ldl. Did I put my baby at any risk of infection?
Hi Sam, congratulations on having a baby. Baby should not be starting on solids anyway. 10 weeks is still too young for baby to be given other foods that isn’t breastmilk/formula.
Why would your nanny be giving your baby solids?
If nanny does do this, this can increase the risk of transmission. This is because switching between solids and breastmilk can irritate baby’s stomach. This irritation can increase the risk of HIV transmission to baby.
Baby should not start mixed feeding until 6 months when there is no longer a risk of irritation to baby’s tummy. In the meantime breastfeeding and using expressed breastmilk is all baby will need to grown and develop.
Hi my name is Sam, I am hiv + and breastfeeding my baby is on NVP and his 10 weeks I will be going back to work I intend to breast pump and the nanny will give him breast milk in the bottlw however I have not disclosed ny status with her and I know for a fact that she will start solids with the baby without my knowledge in this situation is it okay or will.my baby have high risk.being infected