actually, my answer wasn't one of the options.

so i voted for Intervention at birth cos that my 2nd reason. I think when babies are whisked away from the mum to the nursery, a vital bonding and feeding opportunity are lost. When a mother has just had an epidural and all the other things you get put in your system for a c-section, well all that stuff interferes with you being able to feed your bub (if you are even awake). Colostrum can't be undervalued, it IS gold.

OK, my #1 reason for b/f-ing not happening more?
Acceptance in the community.
When i go out in public places, i don't feel like i have somewhere comfy to breastfeed, i don't feel welcome in that way.

Public changerooms might have an old armchair if you are lucky, and they are situated near the sanitary boxes of used "full" disposable nappies, the smell makes me gag and i don't want to be feeding my child near human faeces. So i don't b/f in the parents room. Where else? The shopping centres have wooden benches in the middles of the walkways. So somewhere to feed, very public and absolutely no back support. I feel like a drink while i feed so i find a cafe. The trend is to have hard wooden dining chairs, no arm rests to help me feed my baby.

But the mum who hands her baby's bottle over to heat up in the cafe's microwave, that seems to be much more socially acceptable.

i am going to breastfeed my baby IN SPITE of feeling unwelcome wherever i go in public when i want to feed my bub. I think of the long term health benefits for my baby. Only last year, it became law in my state, that a woman could feed in a eating establishment. Up until last year, it wasn't law. It was up to the discretion of the individual restarant or cafe owner. if a customer complained, you would be asked to leave.

You get told how good it is for the baby, but i didn't realise i would feel "punished" by society for actually carrying out this good thing for my baby. Pressured to put baby on solids so early. My bub is six months old, not showing any signs of wanting solids, yet people around me can't stop talking about the solids.

The fact i have an extrememly healthy bub who hasn't had gastro, a cold or anything like that in six months - does that not count???

It was not easy to start breastfeeding, i endured alot of pain at first. It sure wasn't natural for me, glad i perservered but god it was hard.

being without my car for the first six months of my bub's life has been hard, can't get to ABA support meetings. I need that support to feel good about my choice.