What do you think is the biggest barrier to breastfeeding In Australia?

[bon]

I haven't voted. I can't really say what is the single biggest barrier for breastfeeding in this country is...they are all very valid reasons.

A big one I think is women being discharged too early from hospital, before their milk has come in and without any real knowledge of what to expect, and how to deal with difficulties. So I suppose that could be classed as lack of eduction.

I don't think that getting rid of formula is the answer. That is like saying because we have an obesity problem in this country we should get rid of all takeway shops, or get rid of all high fat foods in supermarkets. Or because cars contribute to pollution that we should ban them. It implies that we are not smart enough or too ignorant of the issues to be able to make our own decision.

I think at the heart of it is lack of support - in the home, in society and at work. Not just for breastfeeding either but for parenting in general.

Then there is the fact that, no matter what you are told or taught about breastfeeding, no matter if you have all the support in the world - there are those who just don't want to do it. Purely and simply, they don't want to do it, and there is nothing that will change that. In the past, those women who didn't want to breastfeed (usually those in a higher socio-economic class) got a wet nurse. That is not an option these days, at least in this country, so those who don't want to breastfeed use formula.

[Pandora]

OK, I wanna change my vote to whichever category this comes under:

A big one I think is women being discharged too early from hospital... before their milk has come in and without any real knowledge of what to expect, and how to deal with difficulties.

Bon reminded me of the other thing the midwives when I had DS told me Women should have the choice to stay in hospital until their milk comes in and b/f is established. I guess a budget surplus is more important.