International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

The phase of lactation that refers to the active secretion phase during breastfeeding is Lactogenesis II. This phase typically begins around two to four days postpartum, following the initial phase of lactogenesis, and is characterized by a significant increase in milk production. During Lactogenesis II, the maternal body undergoes hormonal changes that stimulate the alveolar cells in the breast to actively secrete milk, leading to more abundant milk flow that is responsive to the infant's suckling. Lactogenesis I occurs during the late stages of pregnancy and shortly after birth, where colostrum is produced, but the full production of mature milk has not yet commenced. Galactopoiesis is concerned with the maintenance of established milk production after Lactogenesis II, and lactation maintenance pertains to the ongoing supply of milk resulting from regular breastfeeding or expressing milk. The distinct transition to Lactogenesis II marks the phase in which the mother's body fully embraces its role in milk production for the nursing infant, making this phase critical for establishing effective breastfeeding.