Re: [pronut-hiv] Uganda: HIV Positive Moms And Breastfeeding (2)

["Rachel Stern" <sternworks@verizon.net>]

Suppose a young infant has thrush, and mom is HIV-positive. Is breastfeeding 
still recommended?

Rachel Stern

----- ProNut-HIV wrote:

> 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.
>