Certified Lactation Consultant Practice Exam 2026 - Free Lactation Consultant Practice Questions and Study Guide

For a mother with active chickenpox, the recommended action regarding breastfeeding is to temporarily stop breastfeeding while considering the option to express milk. This guidance is provided primarily because chickenpox is a contagious viral infection that can pose a risk to the infant if transmitted through breastmilk or close contact.

During an active outbreak, the risk of the virus being passed to the infant, particularly if the mother has active lesions or is in close proximity, outweighs the benefits of direct breastfeeding. However, expressing milk can allow the mother to maintain her milk supply and continue to provide nutrition and immunities to her baby once she has recovered and is no longer contagious.

Furthermore, the timing of the mother's outbreak is critical; if it occurred within the last five days, this indicates that she is still within the contagious period for chickenpox. Therefore, taking precautionary measures by temporarily stopping breastfeeding directly ensures the health and safety of the infant.

In the context of the other options, continuing to breastfeed normally could expose the infant to the virus, and relying solely on formula would eliminate the advantages of breastmilk, particularly since the mother's expressed milk may still be safe after the acute illness phase has been passed. Providing a clear understanding of these considerations is essential for the mother to make an