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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Medication safety during lactation is evaluated using a combination of maternal, infant, and drug-specific factors. Infant age is critical because newborns and premature infants have immature liver and kidney function, making them more sensitive to drug exposure. Medication properties such as molecular size, lipid solubility, protein binding, and half-life influence transfer into breast milk. Maternal dosage also affects the amount of drug present in the bloodstream and therefore in milk.

No single factor determines safety. A complete risk assessment is required using evidence-based resources such as lactation pharmacology databases. Many medications are compatible with breastfeeding when appropriately evaluated.

IBCLCs must understand these principles to guide families in making informed decisions while supporting continued breastfeeding whenever safe and appropriate.