The generally accepted numbers for perinatal transmission of HIV from
infected mother to baby is about 25%.  This has shown to be decreased (by
about 1/3 I think--can't find the exact number) by treatment with AZT.
Since it is not clear whether the transmission is prenatal or perinatal
or both, the "official" policy in many places now is to bathe the baby
immediately after birth to clean off all maternal blood (yet another
reason for separation....) as part of "universal precautions" even when
mom is not know to be infected.  There have been a very small number of
cases of confirmed breastmilk transmission in the US (infected infants
whose mother's contracted HIV after giving birth, while breastfeeding),
so it is considered a minor source of HIV transmission, and is
contraindicated only when ABM is a safe alternative, as it is in most
areas of the US and other industrialized nations.

--
Anne Montgomery, M.D.
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St.Peter Hospital Family Practice Residency