Women are made to breastfeed their babies.  That is as simple as it gets.  And, there is no one out there who can disagree that “Breast is Best.”  It is beneficial to mothers and babies.  Here are my top twenty reasons to breastfeed your child:

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Benefits for the Babies:

• promotes a strong and secure attachment to the mother
• stimulates all five senses
• provides warmth and comfort (you become like a big, warm pacifier)
• guards against illness, allergies, SIDS, infections
• helps the jaw and facial muscles develop correctly (fewer orthodontic needs)
• is easily digestible for fewer upset stomachs, less gas and less spit up
• promotes healthy weight gain and weight maintenance throughout life
• gives absolutely complete nutrition for the first year of life and supplements solids into toddlerhood
• proper brain development and higher I.Q.

Benefits for the Mother:

• no menstrual periods for at least several months.  (I haven’t had one in three years!)
• uterus contracts more quickly so you can return to pre-pregnancy size sooner
• easier weight loss (Kelly Ripa swears by it, but it usually takes about six months for that to kick in for me )
• cheaper, easier, more eco-friendly
• you can do it anywhere, even if there is no water around
• reduced likelihood of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, urinary tract infections and osteoporosis
• easier night feedings (you don’t even have to get out of bed if you co-sleep)
• you have a good reason to have people fetch you snacks and drinks (because you are “feeding the baby”)
• you become a more complete woman by fulfilling one of the duties you were born to fulfill
• you get a little natural shot of “happy drugs” in the form of oxytocin, which will help you relieve the stress associated with having a small child (or two or three), each and every time you feed your baby
• you have a reason to stop whatever else you are doing and quietly warm, nurture and feed the greatest gift you have ever or will ever get

Do you really need any more reasons?  Breastfeed for yourself, breastfeed for your baby, and encourage other moms to do the same!

Click Here to Get Started Breastfeeding!