Book excerpt: The decision to breastfeed is determined by a mother's personality, her level of self-esteem, her education about the potential problems of the initiation period in breastfeeding, her need or desire to be able to leave her baby in the care of others for long periods of time, and the attitude of her spouse. However, with education and support from others, particularly other mothers who know the situation first-hand, almost all of these factors can be positively addressed.