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

[BellyBelly]

We actually had a poll some time ago when the WA milk bank opened and it was 50/50 as to who would be happy to use it and those who did not feel comfortable. I think the main issue was how the milk was sourced, worrying about what was in the milk they didn't know about... but I do know they have treatment and screening processes for that. It's change, will take a while for people to warm to I think, without it being out there and explained about safety. Quite a few who said no mentioned they would if it was from a friend.

[LG]

i never considered not breastfeeding. I really believe having a true belief in myself and my body helped me to start and continue feeding (i think same applies to birth). I only found i started to doubt myself at the antenatel classes of all places where they talked about all the problems etc etc. I'm not advocating that this information isn't given to expectant mums, i'm just sharing my experience.
When i was pregnant i think my aim was to feed exclusively for 6 months and then wean. As i did more reseach into the benefits of continued breastfeeding and the very real risks of formula (which aren't well publiciced) I decided to continue on to the 12 month mark. In this time i found ABA which was a HUGE support to me and my breastfeeding relationship with my son. I was able to do away with the "guilt" of feeding to sleep, comfort feeding etc etc! Suddenly i realised that all these things were normal and natural. The way we were designed! I have since started (nearing completion) training to become and ABA counsellor. I have a huge passion for getting the correct information out there to women. At least if they have all the information women can make and INFORMED choice about the way to feed their children. i think far too often people believe they haven't got 'enough' having been told this by ill-informed health professionals or well-meaning relatives. And lets face it, any new mum is extreamly vulnerable especially if they are told their baby is "not thriving".
Which brings me to another point, doctors, and other health professionals (including some midwives and CYH nurses) just haven't got the current relevant information on breastfeeding. Often their initial training doesn't cover much breastfeeding information, and often their skills are not up-dated regularly.
Breastfeeding can be very difficult for some women, and in these cases they need support. Not just from professionals but also from family and friends who understand the importance of breastfeeding - not just nutrientionally, but also emotionally and for the bonding process. I have often heard that partners seeing their wives in distress or pain through breastfeeding want to offer a "solution" eg ABM - and they are being helpful and supportive in their own way, but a man can't fully understand the desire to feed their off-spring, and what it does to a mother who feels 'failure' over weaning from the breast.
by the way, i went on to feed my son for 23 months, and weaned recently due to pregnancy and because i was finding it 'too much'.
Apologies if most of all this has already been said - i haven't had time to read all the responses.
Good luck tomorrow Kelly! What you are doing is so so so so so important!! The government DO need to recognise the benefits of mothers caring for their children in the best possible ways in order to create a generation of productive and emotionally well-balanced people. Not to mention the benefits for the health system (healthier children and adults).