The frequency of suckling. A neglected but essential ingredient of breast-feeding.

This article presents data to suggest that an essential ingredient for the success of breast-feeding is feeding frequency. Increasing the frequency of feeding decreases nipple pain and breast tenderness, significantly increases milk output and infant weight gain, decreases the peak serum bilirubin levels, increases the success of lactation, and decreases ovulation, markedly improving the contraceptive effect of breast-feeding.