DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 13 -- FOR many women, motherhood begins long before a baby is born. It starts with anticipation, advice from relatives, shopping for tiny clothes and wondering what life will be like once the child arrives.

But when the baby is finally placed in a mothers arms, one of the first and most important acts is often breastfeeding. Health experts describe breast milk as a babys first natural food because it contains nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants from illness.

Yet for many mothers, breastfeeding is not always as easy as it sounds. Sore nipples, worries about milk supply, sleepless nights and pressure from family members can make the early days challenging. In many homes, grandmothers and older relatives ...