A new study has revealed that stopping breastfeeding early might increase mortality risk in children born to HIV-infected mothers, thereby advancing mothers to stick to prolonged breastfeeding.

The study results were claimed to be consistent for mothers not infected with HIV too.

"Our results help support the recent change in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission", said study author Louise Kuhn, Ph. D, Columbia University.

The research team from Zambia reveals that breastfeeding becomes essential for survival for 4 months of age child as it endures the critical and vital stage of the development. In addition, it suggested that longer breastfeeding is necessary to protect children against potentially fatal and infectious diseases, including HIV.

Mothers with HIV should be on antiretroviral drugs in order to prevent natal HIV transmission.

The latest guidelines laid emphasis on post natal use of antiretrovirals for the time the mother breastfeeds her child, in order to prevent vertical i. e. mother to child transmission.