Some of the factors that could contribute towards influencing a mother's decision on breast-feeding and its success were discussed. One of the most important of such factors is the information and encouragement a mother receives, or fails to receive, when she needs it most. Such information, which is mostly non-medical, includes the technique of breast-feeding. Some of the negative influences on breast-feeding discussed include old wives' tales about diet and elements secreted through the mother's milk, the fear of losing one's figure, the fear by working mothers that breast-feeding is impossible to manage, the hospital practice of separating the mother and new-born for the first 24 hours, the shyness of breast-feeding babies in front of others, the lack of confidence in their own efficiency in breast-feeding, and the belief that breast-feeding is inconvenient. Some of the positive influences which can help towards successful preast-feeding are assistance and support from Breast-feeding Associations, a supportive husband and family, and the physician who makes a point of spending a few minutes to encourage his patient to breast-feed her forthcoming infant. The author called for combined efforts towards the restoration of breast-feeding as every infant's basic right.