What is the expected outcome for breast soreness experienced in the first two weeks postpartum?

Breast soreness in the first two weeks postpartum is a common experience for many new mothers, primarily due to the onset of milk production and the adjustment to breastfeeding. As the body adapts to the demands of breastfeeding, the soreness typically diminishes in severity over time. This is because the initial engorgement and any resultant discomfort typically improve as the mother and infant establish a breastfeeding routine.

In the early postpartum period, the body undergoes hormonal changes and physical adaptations as it adjusts to breastfeeding; these processes often result in temporary discomfort. However, as breastfeeding becomes more established—marked by effective latch and suckling—the soreness generally decreases, making option C the most accurate representation of the expected outcome.

Breast soreness persisting for several months would suggest complications such as poor latch or infection, which are not typical for the initial postpartum period. Similarly, while it’s possible for discomfort to last longer than a week, the norm is for it to resolve sooner rather than later; therefore, saying it resolves within just a week doesn’t fully capture the gradual process of adaptation. Increased nursing frequency causing more soreness would indicate an underlying issue rather than a typical expected outcome, as effective nursing should lead to less discomfort over time.