Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) Practice

The correct answer is engorgement, which refers to the condition of swelling and hardness in the breasts caused by excessive milk accumulation. This typically occurs when a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply exceeds her baby's demand, leading to a buildup of milk in the breast tissues. The breast tissue becomes distended with milk, resulting in discomfort and possibly pain, along with the characteristic swelling and firmness.

Engorgement can occur at various points in the breastfeeding journey, such as early postpartum days when milk comes in or if a mother has missed feedings or if the baby is unable to effectively remove milk from the breast. It is important for the mother to manage this condition by breastfeeding frequently, expressing milk, or using other measures to relieve discomfort.

Mastitis involves inflammation of the breast tissue, often accompanied by infection, and while it can also cause swelling, it presents with accompanying systemic symptoms such as fever. Blocked duct refers to a localized area where milk flow is obstructed but doesn’t typically cause the generalized swelling and hardness seen in engorgement. Thrush, a fungal infection, primarily affects the breastfeeding pair by causing pain during nursing but does not result in swelling or hardness of the breast tissue.