I certainly am no expert on what cultural issues might impact on a woman's
decision to breastfeed outside of my own country, and to some extent
hesitate to even comment.  However, when I visited Ireland (a country I just
love for how kind they were to me, a sad traveler stranded there during the
9/11 attacks) I was struck by how many women smoke.  I wonder if there is
concern that you have to have a "perfect" lifestyle in order to breastfeed?
Also, in so many places, breastfeeding seems to be tied to issues of class.
In some countries, it historically has been something you did only if you
were too poor to afford a wetnurse.  In a formerly poor country (like
Ireland) maybe there are associations of bfg with poverty that work against
it as a health issue.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com

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