When I started out as a breastfeeding counselor almost ten years ago (time
flies...) I began to feel that

(a) breastfeeding is a panacea for all evils.

(b) all benefits of breastfeeding would accrue to all breastfed children.

(c) all mothers would want to breastfeed if only they knew the advantages.

(d) all babies can breastfeed if only the mother was motivated.

I've had some very painful moments realizing (in my experience at least) that
I have to replace the word "all" in the above statements with "some".  A
perfect bite (no $$ to the orthodontist!) is one of those benefits rumored to
come with breastfeeding for 6 months or more.  But, if I remember the studies
correctly, perfection was not guaranteed.  And studies were conflicting.

And breastfeeding cannot completely overcome genetics -- if your child has a
small mouth and big teeth then your car is going to find its way to an
orthdontist for many years.

I have seen too many mothers recently (mostly professionals, older, primips)
quite devastated at their inability to breastfeed 100% (primary failures or
unrecoverable secondary).  They are convinced that their child will now be
significantly compromised due to their "failure".  They are so obsessed with
the need to breastfeed that they are unable to mother/nurture the newborn.
 Breastfeeding becomes the goal.  Period.

I love the emphasis on breastfeeding that pervades the community I live in.
 I glow when I see a mother and baby finally breastfeeding successfully -- it
seems so "right".  I am sad with those mothers who cannot meet this goal.  I
worry (I should have better things to do!) about the pressure some mothers
have put on themselves and how this pressure (perfect child through
breastfeeding) is affecting their ability to appreciate and enjoy the
wonderful baby in their laps.

Note that I work mostly with worst-case breastfeeding difficulties in a
relatively affluent community.  Most of the moms I see are over 30 and used
to having control.

Joanna Koch, IBCLC