The human species is the only one among mammals in
which breastfeeding and weaning are not governed only
by instinct. Therefore, breastfeeding and weaning have to
be learned. Currently, especially in modern societies,
women have few opportunities to learn something about
breastfeeding because their traditional sources of learning
more experienced women in the family were lost as
extended families were replaced by nuclear families.
Consequently, women become mothers with little or no
ability to breastfeed, which makes them more vulnerable
to difficulties during the process. Health professionals
play a crucial role in the prevention and management of
such difficulties, but to do that, they need specific
knowledge, attitudes and skills.