At what postpartum point are serum prolactin levels typically considered normal for non-breastfeeding mothers?

Serum prolactin levels typically return to pre-pregnancy values around 6 weeks postpartum for non-breastfeeding mothers. Following childbirth, prolactin levels initially rise to facilitate milk production, especially in breastfeeding mothers, but they decrease significantly in those who do not breastfeed. After approximately 6 weeks, the absence of breastfeeding cues and hormonal changes contribute to a normalization of prolactin levels.

Earlier timeframes, such as 1 week or 3 weeks, may still show elevated prolactin due to the residual hormonal effects of pregnancy and the postpartum recovery period. By 12 weeks postpartum, while prolactin levels are certainly stabilized, normal levels for non-breastfeeding mothers are generally established by the 6-week mark. Thus, identifying 6 weeks as the normal timeframe aligns with physiological changes occurring in the body.