Exclusively breastfeed even when there are no ARVs

• Exclusively breastfeeding (giving ONLY breast milk) for the first 6 months.
• Exclusive breastfeeding (giving ONLY breast milk) for the first 6 months greatly reduces the chance of HIV passing from an HIV infected mother to her baby.
• When an HIV-infected mother exclusively breastfeeds, her baby receives all the benefits of breastfeeding including protection from diarrhoea and other illnesses.
• Mixed feeding (feeding baby both breast milk and any other foods or liquids, including infant formula, animal milks, or water) before 6 months greatly increases the chances of an HIVinfected mother passing HIV to her baby.
• Mixed feeding can cause damage to the baby’s stomach. This makes it easier for HIV and other diseases to pass into the baby.
• Mixed feeding also increases the chance of the baby dying from other illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia because he or she is not fully protected through breast milk and the water and other milks or food can be contaminated.
• If an HIV-infected mother develops breast problems, she should seek advice and treatment immediately. She may be encouraged to express and heat treat her breast milk so that it can be fed to her baby while she is recovering.
• Use counselling cards on exclusive breastfeeding and building your milk supply (Counselling Cards 3 to 7).
• HIV-exposed babies should be tested for HIV when they are about 6 weeks old.

Notes for community worker: An HIV-infected mother should exclusively breastfeed during the first 6 months even if there is not always access to ARVs.