At risk of being blasted for oversimplification, the female of the species evolved with the ability to produce children, produce hormones that stimulate milk production and an innate sense to nurture. They have 'tooters' to feed babies and supply a high quality product. Breast feeding is amazing at bonding with your baby with the 'let-down' reflex gushing love and pints of milk. I fed my 3 for varying lengths of time, my last for 16 months as he failed to thrive when we started weaning. He knew the good stuff. Bf for as long as your baby wants it, (prob not to bitty stage tho'!) they tend to stop themselves when there's a choice of food and drink. Don't put time limits on feeding, relax about it. Formula milk has it's place but it's not natural. It's (British) society's perceptions about breast feeding that requires examination and the free milk scheme should be reviewed. Midwives and Health visitors IMHO don't encourage what come naturally, tick a box on a form and run with it. BF takes time and IME women don't feed as they want to return to work, go out and resume a life they had before kids. They are also put under pressure from other family, friends which is just wrong. I accept some women can't feed.
Nestle, and formula milk in the 3rd world, ask yourself why they push it. Profit?
I could go on……