Why formula feeding is recommended in Canada for people living with HIV
Experts in Canada recommend formula feeding for people with HIV because HIV can pass to a baby through breastfeeding. Taking HIV treatment and maintaining an undetectable viral load greatly reduces the chance of passing HIV to a baby through breastfeeding. However, there is still a very low chance of passing HIV.
We know for sure that there is no risk of HIV being passed when a baby is formula fed. We also know that formula gives babies all of the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Doesn’t taking HIV treatment prevent passing HIV?
As a person living with HIV, you probably know that successful HIV treatment is good for your health and prevents passing HIV to your sex partners. It also helps to prevent passing HIV during pregnancy and delivery. It may be surprising to learn that there is a very small chance of passing HIV through breastfeeding when you are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load.
We don’t know exactly why this is. It probably has to do with the fact that breastmilk contains a lot of immune cells. HIV may be able to “hide” in these cells, even when the viral load is undetectable. Also, a newborn baby’s digestive system is still developing, which might make it easier for HIV to pass into their body.
Why is this recommendation different from others I have seen?
In Canada, for most people who do not have HIV, breastfeeding is recommended. This is because breastfeeding has some health benefits for the baby. However, for people with HIV, experts recommend formula feeding because it is the only way to be sure that HIV will not be passed to a baby.
In some other countries, it is recommended that people with HIV take HIV treatment and breastfeed their babies. This is the recommendation in countries where malnutrition and life-threatening infections are common and where formula may not be available. In these countries, the small chance of passing HIV to a baby is less important than the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby’s health.