Final answer:
The breast-feeding mother can expect initial tenderness, leakage, and engorgement, with colostrum present immediately postpartum and lactation ceasing if suckling stops for about a week. Milk supply adjusts to demand, and the milk composition changes from colostrum to mature milk, which is rich in the necessary nutrients for the infant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The breast-feeding mother can expect several changes to occur in the condition of her breasts. Breast tenderness is common and likely to persist for approximately a week after the start of lactation. During the first few weeks of breastfeeding, there may also be leakage, soreness, and periods of milk engorgement as the relationship between milk supply and infant demand becomes established. It is not uncommon for a mass to form that can shift positions from day to day; this is generally distinguishable from cancer by its changing location and is often a result of the ongoing changes in milk production and storage within the breast tissue.
It should be noted that in nonlactating mothers, colostrum is present for the first few days after childbirth. If suckling is never begun or is discontinued, lactation does tend to cease within a few days to a week, and any remaining milk will be reabsorbed by the body. Lactation is an adaptative process, with milk supply constantly adjusting to the infant's demand. Colostrum, the milk produced in the first postpartum days, is rich in immunoglobulins and helps boost the newborn's immune system. Mature milk eventually replaces colostrum, containing ideal levels of fat, sugar, and protein tailored to the infant's needs.