Exclusive breastfeeding is challenging for most mothers and the psychological challenges that come with living with a chronic condition must make it particularly difficult for mothers living with HIV. Movement restrictions and loss of jobs must have had devastatingly disproportionate effects on breastfeeding mothers living with HIV. According to WHO, with proper support to adhere to ART, mothers living with HIV can breastfeed for at least 12 months and may continue breastfeeding for up to 24 months, just like other mothers. Ensuring that mothers living with HIV have the capacity to adhere to their ART provides a breastfeeding baby with the benefits of breastfeeding. They should also reach out to known breastfeeding mothers living with HIV to ensure that they adhere to the ART to prevent the transmission of the virus to their breastfeeding babies.

Source: Standard Digital July 07, 2021 21:00 UTC