Hi All, as a community educator for the Australian Breastfeeding Association I can truly say this issue is very close to my heart. In my experience (and sorry that at this time I can't quote any supportive data/studies), Mum's who are determined to feed BEFORE bub is born generally have more success when met with any of the issues mentioned in this questionairre. I felt very lucky that the advice I was given before the birth of my first baby was very candid - it is natural, but it is a LEARNED skill that requires practice - and one of my closest friends said - IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO HURT! We have asthma and allergies and irritable bowel in my family and I was determined to do my best to try to avoid this for my children and did much research and found support BEFORE my first baby was born. My determination to do the best got me through mastitis, cracked nipples, engorgement, thrush, reduced supply and lack of let down sometimes. I would also like to point out for everyone one supportive person I met there were twenty who were ready to put me down or question my judgement. As a CE for ABA I do my best to tell pregnant women to find the facts for themselves before birth and find at least one person who has successfully breastfed to remind them it can be difficult, but also has rewards (like Motherhood really). I think if we, as a society, give mothers the opportunity to de-sexualise the breast and do what THEY feel comfortable with we will create a more supportive environment - and how could that be bad?