Question

Why can’t I breastfeed my baby?

21 January 2020. Related: All topics, Children, HIV transmission.

I’ve been told by my clinic that when I have my baby I need to give them medication. I’ve also been told that I shouldn’t breastfeed. I’m on treatment and my viral load is undetectable so I don’t understand why my baby needs to be given medication. Also why can’t I breastfeed?

Answer

Answer: Lisa Thorley

Thanks for getting in touch.

Feeding guidlines for babies vary depending on where it is that someone lives. In the UK breastfeeding isn’t recommended and this is even if a woman’s viral load is undetectable. There’s info about this here: https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

Though being undetectable means you can’t transmit HIV when having sex without a condom, it may not apply to infant feeding, this is why there a need to be cautious: https://i-base.info/htb/34455

All babies who are born to positive mothers must be given ARVs, this is a precautionary measure as the pregnancy guide explains.