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Abstract
A sample of 25 primiparous women recorded feeding patterns and sexual activity in weekly diaries for six months post partum. Six women discontinued breast feeding before six weeks. None of their babies woke for a night feed at 24 weeks compared with nine breast fed babies. Sexual activity declined during pregnancy and returned slowly after childbirth. A reduction in sexual interest compared with pre-pregnancy levels was reported by 16 mothers and six (all breast feeders) reported severe loss. Mothers whose babies continued waking for a night feed had slower resumption of sexual intercourse.