PIP: It has been suggested that every country undergoes 3 stages of development in its attitude toward breast feeding. The 1st or traditional stage is characterized by mothers breast feeding their children for a long time. The 2nd stage is a strong downswing in the popularity of breast feeding. The 3rd stage is a period during which breast feeding undergoes a renaissance. By 1979 about half of the mothers in Finland nursed their children for at least 6 months. In a study of 100 primiparae the 17-36 year olds (mean 24.7/) completed 4 questionnaires in the period from delivery up to the termination of breast feeding. In no case did this period exceed 5 months, at which time 60% of the women were still lactating. Age correlated significantly with the desire to nurse longer as did support received from the child's father, although support from health services sources was more significant. Mothers with higher work status had significantly more knowledge of breast feeding before nursing began and nursed significantly longer than women with lower work status. Women who nursed at least 5 months had significantly better expulsion reflex during delivery, did not need additives to mother's milk, and had a more positive experience with nursing after 3 weeks than women who nursed for a shorter time. Women who nursed for a longer period also had significant difference in the experience of nursing as an expression of contact and as an expression of sexuality.