Question
Can I give my baby formula milk when she is on nevirapine?
8 March 2023. Related: All topics, Children, Pregnancy.
I’m HIV positive and i got a 6weeks old baby. I breastfed her for the first 2weeks. In the third week, because i’ve been taking my treatment well, i decided switched to formula milk…
Can i still continue feeding her formula while she is on nevirapine?
Answer
Hi there
Thanks – and congratulations on your new baby.
The nevirapine is important for your baby whether you use formula or beast/chest milk.
Both are really safe with nevirapine.
This link has more information about different ways babies are given meds to protect against HIV. It varies in different countries:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/infant-meds-when-the-mother-is-living-with-hiv
best wishes
Simon
Hello Xolie and thanks for getting in touch.
Congratulations on the baby. You must be very happy.
Please do not worry. 55 is a very low viral load which is considered undetectable.
We have better machines and tests today that’s why we can measure so low viral loads.
Please don’t worry. Everything is ok and your baby is safe.
Good day,in November 2024 tested viral
load and was undetectable,gave birth in December and apparently a new test was not done post delivery and my baby PCR after birth was negative.I recently did viral load tests again and suddenly changed to detectable with 55 copies and been on treatment since so I dont know the change.My worry is that im breastfeeding and after 6 weeks continue with breastfeeding and my treatment and my child also still takes nevarapine.What are the chances of infecting her?I stopped breastfeeding after the results and will do PCR again Monday.I am very stressed
Hello Kasho and many thanks for getting in touch
Congratulations on the new baby! you must be very happy!
Please don’t worry. Being undetectable (viral load under 200 copies) is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your baby.
Every country has different guidelines about combining formula and breast milk.
Here in the UK, we suggest stopping breastfeeding after 6 months or sooner.
Please speak with your doctor for any more information.
I am sending you the links for information the British HIV Association has produced about breastfeeding as I feel the information might be helpful to you
https://bhiva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BF-Leaflet-1.pdf
https://bhiva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BF-Leaflet-2.pdf
Hi there. My baby is on nevrapine. While I am undetectable. Baby is 2 weeks old. Due to low breastmilk, Iv fed baby formula in the first4 days and then breastmilk started flowing which he drank on day 5-7. On day 8 my mother fed him formula without my permission and I continued with my breastmilk but she always gave him formula once at night when I fall asleep. Please will my baby be infected because of the back and forth switch between formula and breastmilk. What do I do to ensure his health and safety for the remaining 4 weeks – 6 months of feeding him breastmilk or formula
Hi Anonymous, congratulations on having a baby.
Nevirapine is recommended to be taken for 4-6 weeks after birth depending on risk to baby. This is explained here:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/infant-meds-when-the-mother-is-living-with-hiv
I do not recognise Azducol. Is there any other information on the label?
When switching to formula will you be sticking to formula feeding exclusively?
If I breastfed for 2 weeks and switched to formula on 3rd week and my son is on nevirapine and Azducol syrup so how long should he take these 2meds ?
Thank you
Hi Florence, congratulations on having a baby. Has baby had any tests yet for HIV?
Mixed feeding can increase the risk of baby when doing so before 6 months. Changing between feed types can irritate baby’s tummy while it is still developing. This irritation can increase the risk of transmission. As you are on treatment with an LDL viral load, the risk is minimal but can be lower if you are able to feed using one method.
After 6 months there is no risk of changing between feed types as baby will have a developed tummy.
I’m on ART and my virus load is LDL and I’m mix feeding my baby…breastfeed and formula…will this affect my baby? She’s taking co-trimoxizole…and I want to stop breathing while she’s 2 months is there any problem?