Communications in the clinic
Q.45 What should health workers communicate about mixed (partial) breastfeeding, and how is complementary feeding after 6 months explained?
Mixed feeding during the first 6 months of life is never recommended and not necessary, even though many women do this. Exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient for infants for all of the first 6 months. Complementary feeding, when the child receives both breast milk or a breast-milk substitute and solid (or semi-solid) food, is necessary from 6 months, because all babies at this age need other foods in addition to breast milk to grow and develop well.
The risk of HIV infection to the infant during complementary feeding is very low as long as the ARVs are taken consistently.