Which of the following is a contraindication for breastfeeding?

Active tuberculosis (TB) infection is a contraindication for breastfeeding primarily due to the risk of transmission of the infection to the infant. When a mother has active TB, especially if she is not on appropriate treatment, there is a significant risk that TB bacteria could be present in her breast milk or that the close contact required for breastfeeding could lead to airborne transmission. Consequently, the recommendation is to delay breastfeeding until the mother is no longer infectious, which is generally after she has received adequate treatment and has been assessed as non-contagious.

In contrast, recent vaccinations are not a contraindication for breastfeeding, as most vaccines given to the mother do not affect the infant adversely if breastfeeding continues. Dietary restrictions of the mother, unless they involve specific allergens or health concerns that are contraindicated, do not inherently prevent breastfeeding. Furthermore, minor illnesses like a cold typically do not pose any risk to the infant via breast milk, and breastfeeding can even provide the infant with antibodies to help fight off infections. Therefore, active TB infection stands out as the clear contraindication in this context.