Last night I was a panellist on a radio show discussing HIV and BF.  The
debate became very heated as you can imagine.  A recent study showed that up
to 34% of all mothers delivering in four healthcare institutions in Harare
are HIV+.  The suggestion was put forward that the government should provide
free formula to *all* babies of HIV+ mothers.  One of the other panellists
was a highly respected obstetrician who said, amongst other things, (1) that
breastfeeding provides no health benefits to the HIV+ baby, and (2) that
there are no immunological benefits to breastfeeding beyond 15 months.
Naturally, I had to challenge this!  I rather rashly said I would send
references supporting my understanding that breastfeeding slows progression
of the disease and that the HIV+ baby receives some protection from
opportunistic infections.  Now I'm turning my office upside down (in an
effort to send just a few well-chosen references) and I'm starting to go
around in circles!  Does anyone have any favourite references (and if
possible abstracts) to show the immunological benefits of mother's milk for
all babies in general and HIV+ babies in particular?  In the meantime I'll
quote the Cunningham annotated bibliographies and one or two others and hope
for the best.

Pamela, Zimbabwe