First breastfeeding failure doesn’t lead to second

Women who had trouble breastfeeding a first child should not give up hope of nursing subsequent children.

Researchers at the Royal Hospital for Children in Bristol studied 22 mothers, aged 22-43 years, who had a second child within two years of their first. Their milk output was measured over a 24-hour period at weeks 1 and 4 after birth.

The women produced about 31 per cent more breast milk in week 1 and slightly more by week 4. Also, those whose milk output was the lowest with their first child showed the greatest increases. As a result of higher milk production, new mothers spent about one hour less per day feeding their second children (Lancet, 2001; 358: 986-7).