>   I think that it is interesting that the government dicourages women from
breastfeeding  if they are HIV+ but there is no such discouragement of
getting  a woman getting pregnant or a male impregnating if they are HIV +.<

About a decade ago I went to a session put on by the HIV advisor at a local
(London) hospital for those of use (then) working in the NCT on HIV, women and
childbearing issues.

At that time the trendy HIV advisor thought he was being pretty radical and
terribly woman-centred to be saying that the services and the HIV community were
supportive of women who were HIV+ and chose to have a baby.

When I asked about breastfeeding, he thought that was just too far out and
risky.  Other women there agreed.  I stuck it out with him for a bit.  When I
told the group that, for me, I could not imagine having a baby and not
breastfeeding --for *me* its about all the interactions I would have with my
child for a couple of years (at least) -- they all clearly thought I was a
fruitcake of the first order (even the other bf people).

So, in my more optimistic moments I wonder if the current more tolerant and
supportive climate in which women decide about having a baby at all if they are
HIV+, could one day extend to breastfeeding that child.  (yes, even I have
optimistic moments).

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK

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