There are many layers of barriers to successful implementation of breastfeeding for mother/baby unit. Many of these occur in the hospital setting and are related to separation of mom and baby after delivery,nursing protocols that keep mom's and babies apart. WHO has issued guidelines for hospitals to use in the postpartum period that maximize early opportunities for breastfeeding, encourage rooming in, initiate breastpump and lactation consultant visits if there is a medical necessity for separation of mom and baby. And this is just the hospital factors. The first week is key in successful breastfeeding, and you need a patient pediatrician who will help you through the process. Family that is not supportive to breastfeeding or where there are not experienced grandmothers and aunts can reduce the chances of successful breastfeeding. Our culture in the US is not overtly breastfeeding centric, and once mom is at home, she will find many cultural barriers against her. It is important given all of these answers to remember that the decisions of the OB is important and not to be taken lightly during delivery. You can plan for the most perfect of deliveries, but your OB is there to deliver a healthy bahy and there are always times you have to move to plan B! If the baby and mom must be separated due to infant illness then early pumping is a must!