In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients new-borns
need in the first few months of life, breast milk is overflowing with
disease-fighting substances that protect newborns from illnesses. This
is according to Dr. Avron Urison, Medical Director at AllLife, insurance
provider for HIV-positive people.
Urison said that the replacement feeding option, when the infant receives no breast milk but is fed with formula, is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. However, none of the antibodies found in breast milk are found in replacement feeding; this means that formula does not provide the baby with the added protection against infection and illness of breast milk. For this reason, breastfeeding is highly recommended.
HIV makes things more complex
“Mothers who opt for the replacement feeding option should seek professional medical guidance on the safety and appropriate use of formula,” he suggested. “That way, they can avoid poor feeding practices which may cause malnutrition, diarrhoea and possibly lead to death of children.”
Urison indicated that the situation becomes more complex when HIV comes into the picture, adding that 25 % of infants born to HIV-positive mothers, who do not receive antiretroviral treatment, will be infected by the virus. However, that percentage drops to less than 1 percent if those women are on HIV medication.
“HIV-positive mothers, who are receiving HIV treatment, are low-income earners and possibly without access to clean water, sanitation and health services should continue breastfeeding exclusively,” he added. “This is due to the fact that the inappropriate choice to formula feed under conditions that are not acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe, carries a greater risk of death compared to breastfeeding – which may contribute to the death rate of 13% for children under the age of five, globally.”
In the case of high-income earning women, who are living with HIV and are on ART and whose access to clean water and health facilities is not restricted, Urison said that replacement feeding is the best option because for them the risk of HIV transmission is far greater when breastfeeding than when using replacement feeding.
However, he recommended that HIV- positive women should go for antenatal counselling sessions on infant feeding in order to help them make the feeding choice that would be most appropriate for their individual situations.
Source: http://www.health24.com/Medical/HIV-AIDS/From-Our-Sponsors/Breastfeeding-vs-formula-a-complex-decision-20140804
Urison said that the replacement feeding option, when the infant receives no breast milk but is fed with formula, is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. However, none of the antibodies found in breast milk are found in replacement feeding; this means that formula does not provide the baby with the added protection against infection and illness of breast milk. For this reason, breastfeeding is highly recommended.
HIV makes things more complex
“Mothers who opt for the replacement feeding option should seek professional medical guidance on the safety and appropriate use of formula,” he suggested. “That way, they can avoid poor feeding practices which may cause malnutrition, diarrhoea and possibly lead to death of children.”
Urison indicated that the situation becomes more complex when HIV comes into the picture, adding that 25 % of infants born to HIV-positive mothers, who do not receive antiretroviral treatment, will be infected by the virus. However, that percentage drops to less than 1 percent if those women are on HIV medication.
“HIV-positive mothers, who are receiving HIV treatment, are low-income earners and possibly without access to clean water, sanitation and health services should continue breastfeeding exclusively,” he added. “This is due to the fact that the inappropriate choice to formula feed under conditions that are not acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe, carries a greater risk of death compared to breastfeeding – which may contribute to the death rate of 13% for children under the age of five, globally.”
In the case of high-income earning women, who are living with HIV and are on ART and whose access to clean water and health facilities is not restricted, Urison said that replacement feeding is the best option because for them the risk of HIV transmission is far greater when breastfeeding than when using replacement feeding.
However, he recommended that HIV- positive women should go for antenatal counselling sessions on infant feeding in order to help them make the feeding choice that would be most appropriate for their individual situations.
Source: http://www.health24.com/Medical/HIV-AIDS/From-Our-Sponsors/Breastfeeding-vs-formula-a-complex-decision-20140804
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