The milk supply should be well-established by six weeks postpartum. Which option restates this true statement?

• A. The milk supply should be well-established by six weeks.
• B. The milk supply should be established by two weeks.
• C. Milk supply is never established.
• D. Milk supply is established by one year.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how lactation becomes steady after birth and when the milk supply reaches a reliable, mature level. After birth the breast produces colostrum, then transitional milk, and with regular breastfeeding and effective emptying, the supply typically becomes well established by about six weeks postpartum. At that point the milk production should be steady and responsive to the baby’s demand, with the baby feeding well, usually showing appropriate weight gain and adequate wet/dirty diapers. The other timelines are inconsistent with this typical progression: two weeks is earlier than the common establishment point, saying the milk is never established is inaccurate, and by one year is well beyond the usual milestone for establishing lactation.