Relactation in mothers of children over 12 months.

Six Australian children aged 12-48 months whose mothers relactated through suckling alone are described. During the period between the initial weaning and relactation the mothers had not attempted to maintain lactation; nor had the children been breastfed by any other person, yet they were able to 'milk' the breast. All mothers produced fluid from their breasts in response to suckling. In all but one case (Case 2) the initiative came from the child and there was no performance anxiety as the mothers' aims were other than milk production, for instance, to soothe the child after separation. All except one child continued to breastfeed for many months after relactation.