talked about it loads with other young mums and can see how we were often more suseptable to what each other was saying depending on what was causing us angst at the time. 90% people I know gave up after a couple of months. What surprised me was not that they had given up but the excuses that they gave for it. One said her mum had virtually forced her, then a little while ago she confessed she shouldnt have given up at the first hurdle. What was sad was not that they had given up but the fact they felt it necessary to come up with a morally acceptable reason for doing so. If someone does not wish to breast feed for what ever reason I feel that that is their perogative. i do feel strongly that the pro breast feeding message should be promoted but not forced down peoples throat. A commitment made under guilt or duress has no substance. More post breastfeeding support should be available. I know so many people who had difficulties breast feeding who felt they were being judged unfit for not coping. I was lucky I took to breast feeding like a duck to water........unfortunately my breasts took a little time to catch up. (If I was an oscar winning actress my acceptance speech would be to thank my agent, my mum, my dad and ......cabbage leaves!!!!!!) In the beginning I panicked, I would like to think that I was reasonably intelligent but everything I had learned went out of the window, how long should I breast feed, should I do one breast each feed or a bit of both, why couldnt I feel let down whilst feeding even though dd was gaining weight the question and the doubt were endless. compare this to friends who knew how much their babies were feeding, and whose babies slept thru the night, thought not tempted I could seed why bottle seemed so attractive to many other like me who struggled. Motherhood sweeps many of us off our feets and often nothing prepare even the hardy of us for the love, guilt and self doubt that often accompanies it. A bit more support encouragement and prehaps the sharing of toecurling stories I think would do more that any advert to encourage bf.