In the most developing countries alternative food for infants is not an affordable option. For them breastfeeding is the best option to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to the child.
The South African study says that breastfeeding alone reduces the risk significantly compared to alternative ways of feeding. It also protects against diarrhea and pneumonia. The study found out that in the developing countries the risk of transmission was reduced from 25% to 2% with the use of therapies and formula feeding. But in the developing countries these options are not available or not affordable.
But actually breastfeeding has protection from other diseases as well it carries low risk of deaths in infants. The study says that the infants who were breastfed before six months were having lower risk of HIV than those fed with solid foods. This is due to the fact that solid foods contain complex proteins which can damage the lining of stomach and cause the virus to pass through.
Though breastfeeding carries the risk of HIV transmission, it is has the lowest mortality. Thus it is said to be the best option for women in the developing countries. But it is better to find ways of breastfeeding safely.
