 Findings: There was no significant difference in numbers of mothers in the treatment groups with the lowest possible score for severity of symptoms on contact days 3, 4 or 5. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups for number of contact days needed until the mother felt well enough to discontinue contact with the breast-feeding clinic or for number of mothers prescribed antibiotics. There were significant differences in the mean SI scores on contact days 3 and 4 between the non-acupuncture group and the two acupuncture groups. Mothers with less favourable outcomes 6 contact days, n 61 were, at first contact with the midwife more often given advice on correction of the babys attachment to the breast. An obstetrician was called to examine 20 of the mothers and antibiotic therapy was prescribed for 15 of the study population. The presence of Group B streptococci in the breast milk was related to less favourable outcomes. 