Publication

The number of infants born with HIV infection increases every day. The vast majority of these children are infected through their mothers. Given the vital importance of breastfeeding to a child’s health, and the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding, the development of policies on HIV infection and infant feeding is crucial. This document provides policy-makers with key elements for the creation of the aforementioned policies, such as promoting and supporting breastfeeding, improving access to HIV counselling and testing, and preventing commercial pressures for artificial feeding. It also highlights the prevention of HIV infection in women through the promotion of safer sex and the adequate treatment of sexually transmitted infections