International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a contraindication for breastfeeding?

1. Mother has a common cold

2. Mother is on antibiotics

3. Mother has active varicella lesions

4. Mother has allergies

The correct answer is: Mother has active varicella lesions

A contraindication for breastfeeding refers to a condition or situation where breastfeeding may pose a risk to the infant's health. In this case, having active varicella lesions is a significant concern. Varicella, or chickenpox, is a highly contagious viral infection, and if a mother has active lesions, there is a risk that the virus could be transmitted to the infant during breastfeeding, especially if the infant comes into contact with the mother's skin. While other conditions listed, such as having a common cold or being on antibiotics, do not pose significant risks to breastfeeding, active varicella lesions present an immediate and serious risk. Although breastfeeding can usually continue with many common illnesses, this particular situation is different due to the contagious nature of the varicella-zoster virus and the potential for severe complications in newborns, who may not have yet been vaccinated against chickenpox. In summary, the presence of active varicella lesions represents a genuine contraindication to breastfeeding because of the risk of transmission of a serious infectious illness to the infant.