Hospitals pressured to end free baby formula

[Nikia]

133. I was determined to breast feed and gave mine away to someone who I knew was formula feeding

I do think that formula companies give free samples to encourage formula feeding. I also think that there is a lack of education about breast feeding which causes many women to give up.
For example, almost no one produces a lot of milk their first few days. You need to breast feed often to promote this. This will probably be every couple hours at first and maybe sometimes even every hour. This will be very tiring, but this period of time will eventually pass. It does not mean that your baby is starving if he or she loses weight in the first few days.
I agree with longer maternity leave and employers being better about allowing adequate time for pumping. A dual pump is necessary if you are going to pump at work. If you plan to pump at work, start this at least a week before going back right after breast feeding. This will allow you to have a head start on your supply and give you some time to get used to pumping. Bring pictures, or have them on your cell phone, of your baby while you pump. This really helps.
If you breast feed your baby exclusively, he or she will probably not sleep all night for a while, needing a feeding at night. This is normal, especially early on. I recommend having the baby's bed in your room next to your side so you are aware of the baby's waking and because it is convient. The night time waking will not last forever. I don't know what is average. For my baby, it was 11 months.
This is just some advice that I was never in any of the hospital literature that I received that I think is useful for breast feeding mothers to know.