I didn't take the time to read the whole thread, so I do apologise for saying something someone else most likely has said. However, I did join the forums just to post on this topic as breastfeeding is a matter near to my heart - literally!

I voted education, but that is not exactly what I intended. I think the single greatest barrier to women choosing to breastfeed, or breastfeeding for longer than 6 weeks, which I believe is the major drop off point, is EXAMPLE. In our communities and our families, we do not see women breastfeeding older babies very often, and feedback from other (non-nursing) mothers is often very negative.

In order for women to value "extended" (ridiculous term!) breastfeeding, as a community we need to support and encourage breastfeeding, so it does relate back to education. The community does not seem to recognise that breastfeeding remains valuable well after the introduction of solids foods. This will be most appropriate from midwives, family health nurses, other mothers and the ABA etc. GPs, other doctors esp. paeds, and other para-medical professionals also need to get on board.

If we believe breastfeeding is essential to the health of the entire community - and I do - then we need to make a concerted effort to change the values we espouse. The campaign to reduce/defeat SIDS is a wonderful example of how a very public and emotive campaign can successfully change the way families behave across the nation. Imagine if we increased breastfeeding to the same statistical level as SIDS has decreased!

I could talk a week about the benefits of human milk for human infants, but most people here will already be very aware of those benefits. I am very happy for you to use any thing I have said in your submission/presentation if it is of value. For what it's worth, I breastfed/feed two children - one to age 3, the other almost 18 months and having 3 regular feeds a day.