Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy.<\/p>\n
The answer to your question depends on which country you live in.\u00a0This is because different countries have different guidelines for the management of HIV in pregnancy.<\/p>\n
In the UK, the BHIVA (British HIV Association) guidelines recommend bottle feeding.<\/p>\n
This is because in countries where mothers can have access to to formula milk AND clean water AND\u00a0bottle sterilising equipment, the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby through bottle feeding is zero.<\/p>\n
However, in some countries mothers do not have easy access to the all the above facilities. Unless sterile water and equipment is available, the baby is at risk of other serious illnesses.<\/p>\n
In these countries,\u00a0 the WHO (World Health Organisation) guidelines recommend that if a woman is taking HIV\u00a0treatment (ART), then she should breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. \u00a0After 6 months the baby can then be weaned onto a safe diet without breastfeeding.<\/p>\n
Taking ARVs and having an undetectable viral load dramatically reduces the risk of transmission through breastfeeding.<\/p>\n
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended because mixed feeding carries a greater risk of transmission.<\/p>\n
Please\u00a0discuss this with your doctor so you understand the recommendations where you live.<\/p>\n
Are in contact with support groups for people living with HIV? I ask because many women find it helpful to share experiences and ways of coping with being positive and pregnant.<\/p>\n