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 Thando and thanks for getting in touch.
Congratulations for the new baby. You must be very excited.
Please raise this with your doctor and midwife.
The guidelines are different in each country about feeding young babies, like yours.
In the UK, where I am based, it is recommended that only milk is given for the first 6 months.
It might be different in your country.
However, as long as you don’t breastfeed, your baby’s risk remains very very low as it doesn’t have any exposure since birth.
So please don’t worry about HIV. However, discuss everything else with your doctor to ensure these are appropriate for a baby so young.
Hello. My 4month baby tested negative at 6 weeks. He is formula fed. My mother gives him traditional medicine and gripe water and it really stresses me out. Will this affect his negative status?
Hello Chasey and thanks for getting in touch.
Congratulations on the new baby! You must be very happy!
Taking your ARVs and having an undetectable viral load is what protects your baby from catching the virus.
So well done for that!
I am afraid I am not familiar with the guidelines where you are based.
I believe the advise here, in the UK, is to avoid any food other than milk for the first months but I am not sure.
Please ask your doctor and midwife whether feeding your baby with anything other than milk is advisable.
You can always turn to formula milk, as long as you are happy to do that.
The advice talks about milk: formula and breast.
I am not sure if other food is considered at such an early age.
Hie
My baby is 2 months now she stopped taking nevirapine at 6 weeks
But I have been giving her cooking oil mixed with lemon and salt sometimes once a day sometimes none at all . My mother said traditional it’ll help her with the stomach. Is ot considered mixed feeding? Has my baby contracted the virus. Can I stop breastfeeding now and start formula?