The first issue is the specific counselling needs of women whose infants are HIV-infected. The
new birth PCR testing programmes will identify most HIV-infected infants much earlier than
the old 6-weeks PCR testing programmes.5
This approach provides a valuable opportunity for
strengthening support for breastfeeding, which is essential to the survival and well-being of HIVinfected
infants. HIV-infected infants should be breastfed for 2 years or more.