so sad, i got it too - from when bilby was five months old (the social pressure NOT to breastfeed her).

i worked out eventually, every person who made a comment, it was about THEM, not about my child and her nutrition.

it's hard to be a one woman education program, when all you want to do is feed your child and get on with your life.

so to have your head around what you are doing, feel confident and strong with your position, - well it's good to have all that sorted out BEFORE you are feeding in front of your friends, so that when the comments come you
- were prepared for it mentally, so it won't hit you as hard (regardless if you want to comment or not)

i had people make comments, as if they were trying to provoke me. Like if i said anything pro-bf-ing, i would cop a big serve. So i decided, when i felt strong engough to make comments (took me quite a while) - that i would only say "i" statements, and postive statements - prolly cos i am so scared of any conflict - e.g "it's working for our family", "yes, it's a decision we're really happy with and bilby is so healthy, so we coudn't be happier with our decision". "it's not for everyone, but it is right for us".

I realised i wasn't going to get support IRL, so i found it online (BB, la leche, kellymom, aba, FB), had my aba calendar on the kitchen wall where i coulod see it every day - just the sight of those pro bf-ing pics helped me, had my aba subscription, which meant every two months, a copy of their mag, ESSENCE, arrived in my letterbox, and i would read it cover to cover - chock a block with pro-bfing info from real mums allover Australia. So find support where you can. Everyone around me was formula feeding, so i had to search for support. And i learnt NEVER to mention any problems with bf-ing, as if i mentioned anything like that, the 100% FF mums around me, would then say "your problem willl be solved if you formula feed". So choose where you speak about bf-ing. tread carefully - if you get postiive vibes, keep going. It's sad, but i found it very true. Happy or sad stories, i found i had to make sure i shared my experiences in a safe environment. I was bursting with happiness about how healthy my baby was, not getting sick like her peers, but i had to "sit" on that, not talk about it, as i knew it would get a bad reaction.