Why Breastfeed? In my opinion breastfeeding has made my daughters healthier and myself healthier. I gained 70 pounds when I was pregnant with each of my daughters and after breastfeeding in just the first 3 months I had lost 40 pounds. Now maybe it is just they way my body works but I truly think it had a lot to do with breastfeeding. Now don't get me wrong I didn't have a flat tummy by no means but at least I could start fitting in my old clothes again. Upon my research and asking my physicians and my daughters doctors I've complied a list of reasons why it is best. I am not a doctor - just a mom interested in the benefits of nursing opposed to formula feeding. * Breastfeeding provides a security for your baby * It is a great bonding experience for mom and baby * The baby get about half of its newborn immunities from colostrum * The baby has less constipation and fewer tummy upsets because it's easier to digest * It reduces the risk of obesity later in life * It provides natural antibodies to the illnesses that the mother has been exposed to * It prolongs the period of natural immunities to diseases * It reduces the risk of allergies * Better brain and eye development! They are nursed on both sides and don't favor one eye. *Nursing promotes proper jaw, dental, and speech development - my dentist told me of this one! * It lessens the chances of getting Crohn's Disease, Diabetes, Ulcerative Colitis, and Celiac Disease * The longer the child is nursed, the higher their IQ is likely to be (they won't be a genius if you breastfed for 10 years! * It is a lot CHEAPER! * You don't have to waste time heating up a bottle - it's always the perfect temperature * The baby will be 5 to 8 time less likely to get childhood lymphoma if breastfed for 6 months or longer! * Breastfeeding throughout a lifetime for more than 25 months will reduce your chances of getting Breast cancer by 1/3 However, on the flip side, there are those wonderful things that go along with the benefits of breastfeeding that I'm sure we've all experienced. *You're talking to your boss at work and all of a sudden you starting to get 2 wet spots on the front of your blouse *You hear a baby cry and your breast size suddenly increases by a size *You stink like sour milk all day *Your baby thinks it's a toy and just wants to play with it *Your baby is using it as a teething toy - OUCH!!! *If your baby is talking back to you and is half your height - it may be time to wean *Try not to squirt your baby in the eye just for the fun of it! *You're getting intimate with your husband and your beautiful new lingerie is drenched in milk *Your pump breaks and you have to go the entire work day with what appears and feels to be two gallons of milk on in your chest! *Your husband is starting to get jealous because the baby spends more time playing with what use to be his toys *Your husband accidentally uses your stored milk for his coffee! *Better yet - you have no milk left in the house and your husband gives it to the cat! *You finally got that chest you always wanted but - it's only being rented for a year or two - so enjoy it while it lasts!! Your body may perhaps never look the same again...but it's a small price to pay for a healthier baby and a healthier you!!