Nicole, 
There is research to give us information as to why, even though women get information about the benefits of breastfeeding, they do not choose to breastfeed. In Florida, in an effort to increase very low bf rates, they initiated a state-wide education program. After a year(I think), bf rates did not increase. So, Carol Bryant conducted (and recently has duplicated this research with some changes in the barriers found) a series of focus groups.  They found that there were barriers to breastfeeding: Embarrassment, lack of social support, belief that bf is too painful to bear, fear of demands that will interfere school, work, & social life, lack of confidence, and concern about change in dietary and health practices. If these were not dealth with first, the mother will not see breastfeeding as something she wants to do despite its benefits.  They have organized their entire state WIC educational materials to address these barriers (Best Start).  We duplicated this research here in NM and although with some populations(women who lived on the Pueblo) all these barriers were not found, many were similar.

Bryant, C et al 1992 A new strategy for promoting breastfeeding among economically disadvantaged women and adolescents.NAACG's Clinical Issues in Perinatal and women's Health Issues: Breastfeeding, 3(4):723-730.
Coreil, J. et al 1995. Health professionals and breastfeeding counseling: Client and provider views. JHL, 11(4):85-91.

There was also another study done to investigate why women do not breastfeed. All the reasons related to why they didn't want to breastfeed, not positive reasons relating to bottle feeding. Can't find the reference quickly, but will find and post later.
Carol L'Esperance, RN, MSN, IBCLC

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