Certified Lactation Consultant Practice Exam 2025 - Free Lactation Consultant Practice Questions and Study Guide

Engorgement typically occurs during the days following delivery as the mother's milk comes in, which usually happens around the third to fifth day postpartum. This timeframe aligns with the physiological changes that take place after childbirth, particularly with the increase in milk production due to hormonal shifts.

In the earlier days (day 1-2), the breasts may feel full as colostrum is produced, but the extensive engorgement and discomfort usually don't manifest until the milk volume significantly increases, which is generally around day 3-5. During this period, mothers can experience swelling, hardness, and pressure in the breasts as they adjust to the increased milk supply. Engorgement tends to resolve in a few days to a week as breastfeeding is established, and the body adjusts milk production to meet the baby's demands, further supporting why the latter end of this timeframe is more accurate for the onset of engorgement.

The timeframes of a week or longer (week 1-2 and month 1-2) would typically not correspond to initial engorgement but rather to adjustments in breastfeeding and the transition into a more established milk supply.