The impact of peripartum factors on the onset and duration of lactation

Knowledge of peripartum indicators of those mother-infant pairs that are at increased risk of early failure of lactation may improve specific support of breastfeeding. Mode of delivery, labor complications, hyperbilirubinemia, milk intake and weight development were evaluated in healthy term infants in a hospital (n = 338). Delayed onset of lactation was observed in primiparae and in study participants with peripartum complications. The quantitative intake of human milk, assessed by test weighing 0–24 h and 24–48 h after the onset of lactation, was not significantly different between these groups. In addition, volume intake, weight gain and lactation success were tracked in 77 infants. Partial feeding of infant formula or an intake of