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What About Mom?

Breastfeeding Benefits Aren't Just for Baby

By Abbi Perets

Nursing your infant means you'll spend lots of one-on-one time with him. You'll get to know him very well and you'll be his favorite person in the world. It will amaze you that 6 weeks after the birth of your child you really do know what each of his cries means. He might cry and fuss when others hold him, but he'll settle down immediately when you pick him up and put him to your breast. It's easy to have confidence in your mothering abilities when you get such great feedback all the time.

You may have heard that breastfeeding for 6 months or more significantly reduces your risk of developing breast cancer. But did you know that it also reduces your risk of developing ovarian and uterine cancers? Nursing your baby could actually save your life! In addition, recent studies show that breastfeeding for 6 months or more results in increased bone density after lactation is stopped. So, you could say that nursing your baby today means you're less likely to break your hip when you babysit your grandchildren.

Nursing is cheap, it's the easiest diet and most complete food ever invented, the act of nursing makes you feel good, and it's good for you. It doesn't get much better than this. So if you don't want to breastfeed for your baby's sake, be selfish, and do it for yourself!