Breastfeeding—do we make a bigger deal of it in the west?

So, my hubbys family is Egyptian. There, everyone breastfeeds and there’s no question about it. In fact, to buy a woman a breast pump or suggest she needs it is like putting the “evil eye” or bad juju on her and her milk supply. I feel like maybe a lot of countries outside of the west are like this. Breastfeed. That’s it.

But in the US, you have options. I was the only child my mom breastfed out of 4. She only did for a few months and then stopped. Yes, let’s be real, more women work in the west than in Asia and Africa so that’s one reason breastfeeding can be a challenge.

However, I keep reading people talking about how hard breastfeeding is. It’s painful. Worried about milk supply. Etc.

Why does this seem to be more of an issue in the west? Could it also be because we sexualize boobs more and shame them for breastfeeding in public?

I’m pregnant with my first baby and plan to take hopefully 5 months maternity leave and breastfeed. But I keep reading like horror stories—almost like the labor and delivery ones—and it’s freaking me out!