Preparation for breastfeeding: a one-year followup of 34 nursing mothers.

A retrospective survey of 34 breastfeeding mothers was undertaken. From the data the following hypotheses have been suggested for further study: 1) Class preparation for breastfeeding favors a longer duration of nursing. 2) Nipple rolling and breast massage with manual expression of colostrum during pregnancy are not associated with a longer duration of nursing, nor do they prevent sore nipples or breast engorgement postpartum. 3) Mothers with multiple complications are at high risk for lactation failure. 4) Limiting nursing time for the first few days postpartum does not prevent sore nipples.