It's a shame we have to make such 'big' thing about breastfeeding - it's a natural follow on from pregnancy. We are just so conditioned out of it in our culture.

Breastfeeding does impact - no-one else can do it other than the mother until it is established and that will take time, patience and determination.

We don't see babies being breastfeed publicly very often or even necessarily within our own family - how many of us went upstairs to feed - out of the way of visitors, destined to feed in toilets whilst out shopping before feeding and changing rooms became more available. The more brave of amongst us did feed in the corner of coffee shops or on park benches. Fortunately things are starting to change.

We don't all have an extended family willing to support the partner/household chores/other children so we can give ourselves over to breastfeeding for a couple of weeks.

To be able to do it straightaway with no prior experience and knowledge is setting ourselves up for a fall - shame. That we place such high expectations on ourselves in all aspects of our lives is sad. I have heard a lot of women say how they 'couldn't' breastfeed - there are few women who truly can't.

Finally, I think that the 'breast is best' saying should be banned.