Question
How long should I breastfeed my baby?
16 July 2022. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Pregnancy, South Africa.
Hi this is Bevery, I want to find out how long should an HIV positive mother breastfeed her baby. Recently found out that I am HIV positive and 3 months pregnant but was put on medication immediately. Thank you in advance.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Congratulations on your pregnancy. Have you been able to speak to anyone about your recent diagnosis?
In South Africa the recommendation is to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months. If you breastfeed and formula feed together there is an increased risk of HIV transmission.
If breastfeeding is not suitable for you. Formula feeding alone is suitable – fed is best.
As you have started medication and are still early in your pregnancy there is little risk to baby. Baby will also have their own medication for the first few weeks of life to further reduce risk.
More information about this can be found here.
Josh.
Hi Tash, yes this is safe. This is not mix feeding. Mixed feeding is about breast and formula milk, not how baby is given the milk.
Hi Josh. Good day. I’m HIV positive. But been taking my meds Tld for 4 months before I got pregnant. My question is on breastfeeding. I don’t want to formula feed my child. Can I breastfeed him from my nipples and also pump some breast milk to a bottle to bottle feed him the breast milk. I won’t formula feed him. The feeding bottle will contain breast milk. But is this safe since it’s the same content but via breast and via bottle. Is this also mixed feeding?