Infant Feeding Options During Hiv Class Notes

Page 1 of 7 INFANT FEEDING IN HIV/AIDS The Role of Breastfeeding It is well-known that breastfeeding is very good for children. It protects them against many diseases and greatly increases their chances of survival. However, breast milk can transmit HIV. Deciding on how to feed an infant can be very difficult for women because of HIV. This choice depends on whether a woman knows her HIV status and whether or not she can safely feed her baby in another way. Approaches to infant feeding form an important part of measures to prevent mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. However, there are other important ways to prevent mother to child transmission, including preventing HIV infection in women, preventing unintended pregnancies Providing long-term support to women. Breast milk provides all the energy and nutrients a child needs for the first six months of life. Children only need other foods from the age of 6 months. There is some evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months reduces the risk of transmission of HIV from an HIV positive mother. UNICEF recommends that women who are known to be HIV negative and those who do not know their HIV status should