[pronut-hiv] Uganda: HIV Positive Moms And Breastfeeding

["ProNut-HIV" <pronut-hiv@healthnet.org>]

New Vision (Kampala)

July 31, 2006

Kampala

BREASTFEEDING is the best choice for a mother and a baby however for
HIV positives mothers it must be done with caution because it may lead
to transmission of HIV to the baby.

About 15-20% of all HIV infections in babies is transmitted through
breastfeeding.

Doctors recommend that if an HIV positive mother is to breast-feed, it
must be exclusive breast-feeding or else she does not breast feed at
all.

Mixing breast-feeding and supplementary feeds is discouraged because it
introduces foods that may inflame the gut undermining its protective
layer, thus making HIV infection possible.

If an HIV positive mum breastfeed exclusively, it should not be longer
than six months because a long breastfeeding period may expose the baby
to catching HIV.

If you are an HIV positive expectant mother, seek advice from your
health provider about the options of feeding your baby after birth. Get
all the advice you can and read authentic sources of information about
HIV and breastfeeding.

If you choose the non-breastfeeding option, make sure you work hard on
bonding time with your baby like bathing your baby, singing for the baby
and massaging the baby. This will help you develop a strong bond with
your baby.