Having realized you have HIV, you may be scared of
infecting your child through breastfeeding. Well it’s unlikely for this to
happen if you practice proven child-feeding ways.
This article is primarily meant for health
counselors to help throw the choice dice in the court of infected mothers.
Mothers
should not be forced into choosing a feeding method but rather encouraged to
make a healthy decision.
There are three feeding options for you to
choose from:
REMEMBER: Mothers
should be not allowed to mix any of the below feeding options.
Exclusive breastfeeding
Exclusive
breastfeeding means the baby receives only Breast milk and no other liquids or foods, not even water.
Give the baby vitamin drops or
mineral drops only if prescribed.
Important
Notes:
●You should
remember; if a mother is HIV positive her breast milk contains the virus and if
she breastfeeds she can pass HIV to your baby through the breast milk.
●Remember
you can exclusively breastfeed up to ONLY
6 months.
●At 5
months, you can express the milk and feed the baby using a small cup and spoon.
●Stop
breastfeeding completely when the baby is 6 months.
Modified breastfeeding
This will greatly reduce the chances of
transmitting the virus to baby.
For modified breastfeeding mothers should;
1. Express their breast milk into a clean metal
cup
2. Bring it to the boil.
3. Take off to cool.
4. Then feed the baby.
Replacement Infant Feeding
When a
mother opts for replacement feeding she is not recommended to give breast milk.
Mix-feeding will increase the chances if your baby getting infected.
Use infant formula for 6 months and then your
baby can eat enriched family foods.
Do not use
feeding bottles (use small cup and spoon?)
CONCLUSION
Upon realizing a mother is infected, she should
be encouraged to attend ANC during pregnancy to prevent malaria, anemia and be
checked for STIs.
People with HIV infection may suffer illnesses
such as persistent diarrhea, TB and pneumonia.
They should be advised to eat a nutritionally
adequate diet and take vitamins to stay strong. Drink enough water and keep
good hygiene.
FOR
CONSULTATION
Call Our Nutritionist - +233277279565
Or inbox NUTALK on FACEBOOK
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