Abstract
Data are presented on the prevalence of breast feeding among 1037 Dunedin mothers who gave birth to infants between April 1972 and March 1973 and their reasons for weaning. Although breast feeding was becoming more common at that time, more than two-thirds of the mothers weaned their babies as a result of the difficulties they encountered. One of the most significant factors in lactation failure is the mismanagement of breast feeding by health professionals.