In a stunning new South African study,
HIV-positive mothers who
exclusively breastfed reduced the risk of postnatal HIV infection in
their babies. The study revealed that infants of HIV-positive
mothers who received
formula milk in addition to breast milk were nearly twice as likely
to be infected by HIV as infants who received breast milk only.
In addition, the death rate of three-month old babies who were fed
animal
milk or solid foods was more than double that of babies who
received breast milk only during that time.
The study concluded that current World Health Organization,
UNICEF and UNAIDS infant-feeding guidelines need to be revised to include this information. Those current guidelines state, in part: "When replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable,
sustainable and safe, avoidance of all breastfeeding by HIV-positive
mothers is recommended...", and also state that: "To minimise HIV transmission risk, breastfeeding should be discontinued as soon as feasible..."
Whoa! So the findings of this study represent a complete turnaround from present practice. And maybe it'll start saving babies, and soon.
