I have faced similar situations so many times (who counseling breastfeeding women hasn't). It is my feeling that women who were (in their own minds) unsuccessful with breastfeeding seem to need validation that they really couldn't breastfeed. I find that some mothers have the need to justify why they didn't breastfeed as long as I did,( as if I were the norm). I used to tell them how they were misinformed, that there is almost no situation where breastfeeding is impossible, that if they had only done this... My feeling is that by doing this, although I was providing accurate information, it was very hurtful to the mother. Now when faced with this situation, as I was last week, I compliment the mother on the fact that she attempted breastfeeding at all (unfortunately, many mothers don't), and ask how long she did actually breastfeed. Then I try to come up with a statistic that gives her a good feeling about what she did accomplish. A good example is "Did you know that because you breastfed for longer than 8 days and therefore did not introduce cow's milk products before the baby was 8 days old you have helped reduce her risk of IDDM?" I find that it helps them to feel that I am not judging them for what they did or did not do as far as breastfeeding is concerned. I can then also let them know that in many cases with the right support at the right times, the problems they experienced can be overcome and breastfeeding can continue longer if they wish. The main reason that I add the part about overcoming problems is so that they may remember that when telling the same story to others or when a subsequent child comes along. It is very frustrating to have the same myths about "I couldn't breastfeed because....." perpetuated. Laura Barmby