Final answer:
Breastfeeding is contraindicated in certain conditions such as maternal HIV, active/untreated TB, chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments, illegal drug use, and infant galactosemia. These conditions can pose significant risks to the infant or mother's health.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are certain conditions which may contraindicate breastfeeding due to the risk they pose either to the nursing infant or to the health of the mother. These include when the mother is HIV-positive, as there is a risk of mother-to-child transmission of the virus through breast milk. Antiretroviral medications can reduce transmission rates, but substituting with bottle feeding can eliminate this risk entirely.
An active and untreated case of tuberculosis (TB) is another contraindication for breastfeeding. Also, mothers undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy (chemo/XRT) for cancer treatments should not breastfeed since these treatments can pass harmful substances to the infant through the breast milk. The use of illegal drugs is similarly contraindicated, as these substances can have detrimental effects on the infant's health and development.
Another medical condition that contraindicates breastfeeding is galactosemia in the infant. This is a genetic disorder where the baby lacks the enzyme necessary to convert galactose to glucose, leading to serious health issues if breast milk, which contains lactose, is consumed.
It is important always to consult healthcare professionals when determining whether breastfeeding is safe under individual health circumstances. Lactation involves the complex interaction of hormones like prolactin, oxytocin, growth hormone, cortisol, parathyroid hormone, and insulin, all facilitating the production and delivery of nutrients critical for the infant's growth and provision of passive immunity.