n CME : Your SA Journal of CPD - Exclusive breastfeeding - what is its place in HIV prevalent areas? : main article

Abstract

For HIV-negative mothers and those who do not know their HIV status, the optimal feeding method from birth to 6 months is exclusive breastfeeding.

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HIV-positive women have to make the difficult choice of formula feeding or exclusive breastfeeding (i.e. avoidance of mixed feeding).

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HIV is present in breastmilk.

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Exclusive breastfeeding carries a postnatal HIV transmission risk of less than 5% at 6 months.

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Exclusive breastfeeding carries a much lower postnatal HIV transmission risk than mixed breastfeeding.

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Avoidance of breastfeeding carries increased risks of dying from infectious diseases e.g. diarrhoea and pneumonia.

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It is possible for women to exclusively breastfeed for 6 completed months if they are given support.