Sherry

Sherry chose to formula feed her new baby to remove all risk of HIV transmission. Even though her older children were born before her HIV diagnosis, she only breastfed them for a short period of time, because she did not like breastfeeding. Sherry has had no concerns about formula feeding her youngest baby.

Sherry was diagnosed with HIV in 2013 during her first pregnancy, which ended in miscarriage. That time of her life was “horrible” and had a big impact on her mental health, which sometimes still affects her. Her husband at the time left her after her diagnosis and loss of their baby. He was HIV-negative and Sherry is confused and unclear about when she acquired HIV.

Sherry’s medical team informed her of the latest breastfeeding guidelines, but she did not mind formula feeding, as she does not like breastfeeding and only breastfed her older children (pre-diagnosis) for a short period of time. Her clinic provided her with vouchers, which she spent on formula milk, food and baby clothes. She felt supported by her medical team so felt no reason to look for infant feeding advice anywhere else.

Sherry is concerned about people finding out about her HIV status and how she and her children would be treated. She was also concerned about receiving care from Black medical staff who may be from her community in West Africa, as she was worried that others may learn about her HIV status.

No one knew that Sherry only bottle fed. She spent 3 weeks in hospital after giving birth and the Covid-19 pandemic meant fewer people were around in the early months. Sherry told people that she breastfed initially and stopped, which is not a surprise to the people in her life as they knew she has never liked breastfeeding.

Sherry is currently single and none of her children know of her HIV diagnosis. She feels like her HIV status prevents her from dating the men she would like to date. Only Sherry’s ex-husband knows her HIV status and he has threatened to tell her children about it. Sherry feels she does not have the courage to tell her children at the moment, but also worries that her children will feel that she lied to them and question if she is a good mother.

Sherry’s children cheer her up during her darkest moments.

Age at interview 42

Age at diagnosis 34

Sherry disliked breastfeeding and had formula fed her older children. She formula fed her youngest child as well, and had strategies explain why she did not breastfeed.

Age at interview 42

Age at diagnosis 34

Sherry did not breastfeed her three older children who are completely healthy and so the guidelines did not affect her decision to formula feed this time as well.

Age at interview 42

Age at diagnosis 34

Sherry gave birth during the 2020 Covid pandemic lockdown so she did not have many visitors who might ask her why she wasn’t breastfeeding.

Age at interview 42

Age at diagnosis 34

Sherry’s relationship broke down after she told her partner about her HIV diagnosis.

Age at interview 42

Age at diagnosis 34