I vote lack of education - but I would qualify that as actual lack of education in society, not just mothers to be.

My sister thinks breastfeeding is yucky and revolting and seems quite disgusted at the thought that she actually breastfed as a baby. My brother is not so bad but complains that he doesn't like seeing women breastfeeding in public. My father was too embarrassed to be in the same room as me initially when I was breastfeeding. He now inquires as to whether my DS is still feeding from the boob and while he never says anything I can tell that he is starting to think that it is getting a bit unseemly and that DS is too old to be on the boob (at 7.5 months).

My mother is very supportive but when DS was going through a growth spurt and feeding a lot she came out with the lines "maybe you're not making enough milk" and "maybe your milk isn't of very good quality". Of course, they were the lines she was given back in the 70s. The classic four-hourly feed routine that our mothers learned is a problem I think - mums are trying to help their daughters but "don't know any better" which sounds horrible but I can't think of another way of putting it.

My DH was pushing hard for me to introduce formula just so I could have a break because everyone was telling us that DS would sleep better on formula.

Breasts are regarded as primarily sexual so I think that is a problem. I am amazed at how many people seem to think breastfeeding is primitive, or a bit "animal" or that some people seem to think it is a "toilet" function and that formula feeding is so much "cleaner" and more socially acceptable. I've wound up being far more "out there" about breastfeeding than I ever planned to, just with my own family. When they inquire about me feeding in public I'm at pains to demonstrate my discretion while saying at the same time that if someone was actually close enough to get a tiny glimpse of nipple before DS clamps on and were disturbed by that glimpse, then they were the ones with the problem, not me. (Said in such a way that they cannot do anything but nod in agreement because they know I'm right and won't admit that they feel confronted by it).

The wide availability of formula is also an issue. I always thought that you HAD to introduce formula at some point, that it was a vital part of the weaning process. I had no idea that formula wasn't actually necessary until I spoke to my MCHN.

The question is how to do this without the women who have no choice but to use formula don't feel marginalised at the same time. Every now and again I read an angry opinion piece by a woman about "breastfeeding nazis" and how her baby was losing too much weight etc etc and the bad advice the woman was given by midwives etc etc (which of course points back to something lacking in education, this time on the part of the midwives and MCHNs).

Someone else suggested education of teenagers which I think is a great idea because I honestly think part of the problem is societal. I also think that women having trouble establishing breastfeeding or wanting extra help should be able to stay in hospital a bit longer if they want to. This happened to me - I was kicked out on day 4 because the hospital wanted the private room and my milk supply had not come in properly so I ended up teaching myself to breastfeed. I felt so vulnerable leaving that day, I really really needed one more day in hospital.