I havent had enough time to read through all of the posts, so I am sorry if I am repeating anything discussed.
I had great support with my first baby, however only managed to successfully breastfeed for 4 1/2 to 5 mths. I found it really hard as there was nowhere really for me to breastfeed when I was out and about. I am a particularly shy person and in Tasmania there are not many places with good parent rooms where you can breastfeed in privacy. I have since had another baby who is still breastfed. However this is more to my sheer determination rather than support from the general community. I have gone and sat in the car park in my car numerous times to feed him and had my husband hold a blanket to help with my privacy at times that I havent been able to get to somewhere private.

So basically I think it needs to be put out there that breastfeeding is a normal thing, as I think a lot of people still see it as an alternative thing to do not a normal one. Just the other day I was speaking to a mum at DD's kinder who didnt know that cloth nappies were around these days and when I spoke about breastfeeding I got a plain nup I wasnt going there. Not that this lady has anything against it, I just think there needs to be more education in the general society. As far as education for mothers, I'm not sure if they offer it in the public system as I went private, but a pre birth breastfeeding class should be encouraged with part of pre-natal care. I attended a free class before I had DD and it was a great experience to hold baby dolls and learn how I should hold them, ask all the questions and know what to expect. I actually went into it thinking that I would get blisters, cracked nipples etc. Luckily I didnt get any of these, but I knew that breastfeeding was something that both me and my baby would have to learn together not just something that would happen perfectly the first time.

Love