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

[Nikki_M]

I'm a bit of a lurker.. and haven't read this post through but I just wanted to put my 2-cents in. I hope that I'm not too bold in saying this.

But other than the lack of knowledge and the publics view of public breastfeeding.. I think a huge part is how every tries to be PC... so as not to offend anyone we don't always push the benefits of breastfeeding. We *know* that Breast is Best but often when said in a group of mothers, we're met with scowls, or "you're only saying that because you can do it" etc. It sucks that, in our efforts to keep everyone happy, we have to keep quiet all the benefits because people who didn't breastfeed get upset.
Lest we remind people that breastfeeding is what the boobs were made for.

[Liz]

When I mention that Oscar can feed for as long as he likes, some people say "what if you fall pregnant again?", and they are confused when I reiterate "for as long as he likes", because they are under the impression that feeding must cease when pregnant. That's an education issue.

Not to mention that people are shocked that you CAN fall pregnant whilst breastfeeding! When will people learn that it's not an effective contraceptive?? LOL

But I completely agree. I'm facing this almost every day, and it's tiring Everyone is expecting me to wean, and are shocked when I say he can feed until he doesn't want it anymore. Mum is slowly putting the pressure on, I think she can't fathom the whole tandem feeding thing. Personally, I'd love Tallon to keep feeding beyond the pregnancy, I'd love for the both of them to share feeding together. If anything I think it would REDUCE jealousy issues, coz he CAN have booby as well as the baby!

Education and just general awareness of these things is crucial. I don't want to sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet, but sometimes I feel like a bit of a pioneer amongst our peers, because I was determined not to have pain relief in labour (nobody believed that was possible and thought I was kidding myself), I KNEW I was going to breastfeed come hell or highwater (but received the "but don't worry if you can't, formula is ok" comments) I even got scoffed at for wanting to use cloth nappies! However, I have achieved each of these things, and seeing our friends and family realise oh, it CAN be done is just a great feeling. Now of course I'm copping it for feeding during a pregnancy. I must admit I put pressure on myself not to fail at these things, coz I know that my doing these things is "educating" my friends, and hopefully they'll stop blurting things out like "oh you can't feed through pregnancy" coz they'll now know someone who has and that it's possible iykwim. Of course if Tallon weans during the pg well, nothing I can do about that! LOL. But I feel like I'm doing my bit by making things work, and helping my friends see that it's possible.

Gosh I hope that didn't all just come across wrong. I'd like to make it clear that none of it has been that easy, and that I'm continually learning.. but I'm proud that we've fed as successfully as we have, and that my being open about it with friends is helping them too. My biggest hope is that all the horrible discouraging comments that they made to me during my pregnancy, won't be in their vocab anymore when it's time for their daughters to have babies.