What your neonatologist is probably referring to is the fact that the WHO
feels that in underdeveloped countries, this risk of dying from artificial
breastmilk is greater than that of dying from HIV contracting via
breastfeeding and thus in this context they do recommend breastfeeding. Very
poor segments of our country are probably analogous to the underdeveloped
world (sorry for this insulting terminology for important parts of the
world). However, in the US the mother's should be able to get WIC or other
nutritional help. Maybe one day we will know that BF is OK for all babies but
in the meantime as HIV is a fatal disease, MDs in the US are cautious.>
> Deena,
>
>      Gracias, gracias and more gracias for explaining so very simply and
> clearly this HIV confusion.  Coming from a non-medical background I
> appreciate a clear and concise explanation.
>
> Just as an aside, a Neonat.Ped. here told me that with very poor women,
> when the alternative to infected HM is formula, and the mother can't really
> afford the formula anyway, then BF is the preferred option. Any thoughts?
>
> Roberta
>


--
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*  Deena Zimmerman MD MPH                          *
*  Department of Pediatrics                        *
*  UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School        *
*  1 RWJ Place                                     *
*  New Brunswick, NJ 08903                         *
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*      phone (908) 235-7248                        *
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