Advocacy

Working As Your Advocate: Breastfeeding Choices

14/08/2020

Everyone has been pretty busy adjusting to new arrangements and needs stemming from COVID-19, but Positive Women Victoria (PWV) continues to keep HIV in the forefront of our work, and has been continuing to contribute actively to some important advocacy work and initiatives.

For so many women living with HIV, the joy of motherhood may also bring with it the need to make a considered decision about breastfeeding your new baby. PWV recognises the enormous benefits breastfeeding brings for mothers and babies, psychologically, and in terms of the health of babies, and PWV believes it is the right of women to make an informed choice about this option.

But naturally, you may have questions or concerns about breastfeeding, and how can you make sure that if you do choose to breastfeed, you do so in a way that is safe, and have all the support and knowledge you need to look after your own and your baby’s wellbeing.

Positive Women Victoria has been contributing to discussions about this issue with Australian clinicians, and
has been providing feedback and information that we hope will ensure that women making this important decision are doing so with all the information they need, and the ability to discuss this choice with your doctor without feeling judged or worried.

We’ll keep you updated on this process.