there was no difference between the breastfeeding and
formula feeding women. In fact the loss of LBM was
slightly higher in the formula feeding women; although not
significant. There was also no negative effect of breastfeeding on any of the haematological variables examined.
In fact the breastfeeding group tended to have higher haemoglobin and haematocrit levels than the formula feeding
mothers, although the difference was not significant.
More formula feeding mothers compared to the breastfeeding mothers progressed to WHO stage 3 or higher.
Again this is reassuring as it provides further evidence that
lactation is not harmful for HIV-infected mothers as had
been previously suggested [21].