Breastfeeding

First of all let me start out by saying that I am not a pushy breastfeeder.  To explain what I mean let me tell you a little story.  I attended a short class on breastfeeding (not at a hospital), thinking I would learn techniques for breastfeeding.  I was pregnant with my second child and I was not super successful with breastfeeding my first born.  I was really wanting to make it work this time and wanted some help.  When I showed up for the class, the lady informed us that she breastfed all of her children and some until they were 4 years old.  She then informed us that she has been a wet nurse for some 40+ children and that she was currently pregnant in her late 40s.  Now on the surface this may sound like this woman is a very thoughtful person to help so many babies, and she probably is.  But what bothered me is that after she told us about herself, she then began using scare tactics to try and convince everyone that they had better breastfeed, or their child would be dumb, sickly, and obese.  If I had been a young teen who was in this class, I would have been terrified that I was going to bring great harm to my child if I didn't breastfeed.  Thank goodness I have had great mentors of breastfeeding that told me the truth.  Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your child, but if it doesn't work, then your child will grow up just fine.  Your child will still get sick sometimes whether they are breastfed or not.  Obesity is a choice not a byproduct of formula.  And I don't know much about how smart breastfed babies are compared to formula fed babies, but I know plenty of smart people from both sides.  I am an advocate for breastfeeding and I would be happy to help any new mom who needed support.  In fact I attend a breastfeeding support group.  The way the ladies have made me feel is the way professionals should approach breastfeeding.  Life isn't perfect so we shouldn't expect breastfeeding to work perfect for every person.  Sometimes life circumstances screw things up making our ideal not possible.  We need to let go and know that everything will be okay and we will be great moms whether we breastfeed or not.  And we need to hear that from the professionals in the hospitals.  We need encouragement and direction, not chastisement and shaming.  We need a gentle hand and patience from our helpers and we need patience for ourselves.  I also commend those moms who have withstood horrible barriers to breastfeeding and have persevered through pain and infection. 
I feel like I am rambling on and on.  So to summarize: Breastfeeding is great, but formula works too.  Find a good support group to attend and ask for what you need from the staff at the hospital.  Do some of your own research.  But more than anything cut yourself some slack.  If it doesn't work, don't sweat it.