You do not have to disclose that you are HIV positive to justify not breastfeeding. Many women do not (or cannot) breastfeed, for a whole range of reasons. However not breastfeeding can cause some women considerable stress within their family and/or community. If you feel a sense of distress, grief or loss about not breastfeeding your baby, talking to a counsellor or to other positive women may help. If you are looking for a way to explain your actions and don’t want to disclose your HIV status to those who question your choices, you could consider offering the following explanations:
- My baby didn’t latch well.
- I decided to bottle feed because it allows other people to take part in feeding and bonding with my baby.
- My doctor advised me to formula feed because the baby wasn’t gaining weight.
- I wasn’t making enough milk for my baby’s needs.
- I decided not to breastfeed.
- I prefer bottle feeding.
- My baby doesn’t breastfeed well.
- I needed to take a medication after delivery that made it not safe for my baby to breastfeed.
This list is drawn from the Canadian CATIE website.