Along the lines that Jack mentioned about collecting cases, I think the Why
I BF stories would make a great book or article.  Does everyone else agree?
Who wants to take that on?

I've pondered why I BF.  (It WAS a long time ago).  It was something that I
just thought (romantically) that a mom should do.  I had never seen a mom BF
when I had my 1st at age 18.  I was the only mom on the floor of 30 doing
"That" and the nurses couldn't understand why I did "that".  Received no
info.  Went home BFing, at least KK knew what to do!  Had 1st of many breast
infections at 2 weeks.  Didn't think I had "enough" milk after the fever.
Called my mom who said you already have nursed longer than I did.  She
didn't know how to help me. My RN sister-in-law thought BF was dumb.  (this
was 1959).  My dear mother-in-law was so afraid of being an interfering mil
(I found this out later) that she, who had nursed 3 for a year each, didn't
say anything, so nursing ended to my distress at 2 1/2 weeks.  We went on to
phenomenal milk allergies, formula intolerance and colic for 7 months.  It
was awful.

I wanted to BF my second and my knowledgeable RN sil said of course I
couldn't nurse a baby with a 14 mo old sibling.  It would be too hard - and
I believed her.  (This totally bottlefed baby went on to become my LLL
co-leader about 25 years later!).

Next baby - I was determined to BF.  Had 8 breast infections in 11 weeks and
the only thing the dr knew to tell me was wean.  We went on to fantastic
milk and soy allergies.  He drank something called Gerber's meat base
formula at $1/can/day  (Dad made $50 a week then!).

Baby 4.  I was going to nurse come h--- or high water, after the allergy
experience with #3.  Heard about a "blue book".  When I was 2 weeks overdue
I drove an hour to get to a meeting of a new group (guess who).  Had the
same problems with breast infections and plugged ducts until he was 7 mo old
and Judy Riley came home from a conf. and called me to ask what kind of
nursing bras I wore.  In those days they had wide elastic bands around the
breast after the flap dropped down. I always had an ample supply and the
elastic bands blocked up milk in the ducts. Threw them away, got new bras
and problem solved.

Became a leader, nursed baby 5 with little effort and the rest is history.
12 of 13 grandchildren breastfed.  I think my kids absorbed a lot from
watching siblings nurse.  The dad of the non-BF baby was youngest and I
guess didn't get the message.

Sorry I was so long.  All your stories have had me pondering this for days.
Good to vent.