When my daughters' had babies I was horrified to see how very little realistic help there was for Mums to breastfeed. These had grown up with me being a breast feeding Counsellor for NCT, so had heard this talked about and discussed throughout their childhoods.
My eldest daughter was desperate to breast feed her baby, but actually got told by the visiting Health Visitor/(Midwive), at six days, to send out - immediately!! to get formula, as baby was not putting enough weight (these weight charts are made for formula fed babies and often have little relationship for breast fed ones!!!). At the time my daughter was in her 30's and an NHS professional herself. Yes, obviously, as a first time Mum and a new baby, she put her trust in what she was being told. Fortunately, I lived close by and with my support (also that of a lovely lady GP) she ignored that silly, bad and wrong advice and continued b.feeding - until baby was fully weaned, well after she had returned to part-time work.
Another daughter with her first baby was also told not to continue to persevere with 'forcing' baby onto breast, but to get bottles. Again, I was with her and helped her to ignore this - that baby and subsequent three all b.fed.
There is no doubt medically, that b.feeding is the best for baby and also for Mums. Whereas, it is true that some is better than none, it really should be a good few months before babies are introduced to the milk from a different mammal. Also, in these times of fear of so many different virus, it gives babies so much more protection.
My third baby was premature - and when she was a couple of weeks old I became ill with something like noravirus. My older two toddlers were stopped from seeing me as I was so infectious, but tiny, prem. baby stayed with me throughout, my b.feeding giving her the protection against this illness.
Whereas, I totally agree that nobody should be forced to b.feed if they really do not wish to do so, I do know that many mums would be happier to continue if they were given far more information and real encouragement and help.
Even a fully b.fed baby can be fed by Dad - once the feeding starts to settle down, Mum can express milk for a bottle for this purpose and also to ensure she can go out without baby sometimes. In anycase there are many other ways that Dads can be involved with babycare other than feeding.
However, this new Mum has made a decision - hopefully, any such decision regarding care and welfare of their child has been talked about and discussed by both parents. Once made then Dad needs to ensure he is giving her his full suppport.