Star - Breastfeeding in first few months reduces HIV risk'
July 2, 2004
The Star
By Jillian Green
"HIV-positive mothers who breastfeed their infants for the first six months of life lower the chance of transmitting the virus, compared to mothers who mix-feed their babies. Exclusive breastfeeding means providing the child with nothing but breast milk, while mixed feeding means giving the child both breast milk and formula. According to a study done by University of KwaZulu Natal paediatrics Professor Anna Coutsoudis, infants who received at least three months of exclusive breastfeeding had a much lower risk of transmission. 'Unfortunately we have only one published study, (but) several studies are trying to confirm this finding,' Coutsoudis said. She added that preliminary data from a study in Zimbabwe showed similar findings...."