Reversing a ban: Doctor discusses breast feeding with HIV

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Starting in the 1980s, HIV positive women were told not to nurse their babies.

But a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics is reversing the recommendation that has been in place for decades as long as patients are on medication that suppresses the virus.

While there is still a small risk of transmission of the virus most doctors are saying that it is a safe process.

Local pediatrician, Dr. Kara Shafer told WAND News, "The risk is not zero, so some parents may choose to offer formula or donor breast milk given that there is still a risk, but the risk is significantly lower.

There are many steps that women with HIV must take to be able to safely breastfeed their child. It is important that these patients work closely with their doctors, take antiretroviral drug therapy from the start of their pregnancy and through the duration of when they are breastfeeding, and get routine lab work to make sure that their level of infection stays undetectable. However, Shafer said that this can be tricky because the parent must have consistent access to the antiretroviral medications.

"This is obviously pretty low risk — especially if the mom is able to stay on their antiretroviral therapy throughout the duration of breastfeeding or there is also an option for baby to receive preventative medicines throughout the duration."

Doctors say with the proper guidance and the help of antiretroviral drug therapy the risk of transmitting HIV through breast milk is less than 1%. The new regulations set in place by the academy are providing more options for the thousands of women with HIV who give birth each year and the opportunity for added health benefits for both mom and baby.

"The importance of new recommendation is essentially that it gives lactating parents more of a chance to be able to bond and feel they are providing more for their child," said Shafer.

While some doctors were helping some women with HIV safely nurse their babies before the reversal of the ban, the new recommendations are expected to make breastfeeding a more common practice and allow moms to have a positive experience while breastfeeding. If you have HIV and want to breastfeed your baby, you should talk to your doctor first.