I will never regret breastfeeding, it was a bond with my child that no one can take away. I hear woman regret not trying it and I'll never have that regret. My youngest is 9 months and has never been ill and made it through the flu season without a hitch.

Allyson Keel,
breastfeeding mother (breastfed for 8-11 months)

Breastfeeding is really an amazing experience that all mothers should have. It benefits your child but it benefits you as well. That's one more plus.

Allyson Keel,
breastfeeding mother (breastfed for 8-11 months)

Breastfeeding was the most wonderful thing I could offer my son. It built a great bond between us, helped me lose all my baby weight and then some, and built his immunity. I was able to do it for 5 1/2 months and was very sad when I had to stop.

Emily Travis,
breastfeeding mother

Even after 16 months, I still haven't be able to give it up. The only time my son has been sick is when we kept another child for a day. I wouldn't change it for anything. It is a time we can be quiet, close and loving especially on a particularly hard day for mom and/or baby.

Krisi Campbell Novak,
breastfeeding mother (16 months and counting)

I nursed my oldest for 8 months, and then my milk dried up when I was pregnant with my Jacob, my second. Jacob didn’t want to stop and he finally weaned himself at 20 months. I lost my weight quickly and the boys were much bigger than some of the other babies around us. At first I did experience the soreness. But i kept with it and am glad I did.

Maria Scott,
breastfeeding mother

I was really worried about breastfeeding—thought it would be weird and uncomfortable—but I found that both of my kids knew all about it right away, and I was filled with such a rush of happiness every time. I was sad when my son lost interest after 9 months.

Ulla Dalsgard,
breastfeeding mother

I breastfed my first for 2 weeks...I was young and undetermined, however, with my second, I breastfed for 8 months when my milk dried up and I experienced just about everything you can experience in breastfeeding. I was determined.

Sheena Wrightsman Krause,
breastfeeding mother

Chase my little boobie boy just stopped nursing about one month ago and he will be 3 in September!! Chase has never had an ear infection nor has he been sick very often at all. We have had such a great bond and every now and then he still asks for booboos, he thinks he owns them and I may actually have a problem when the new baby comes. :) I am definitely a huge advocate for breastfeeding!!!!

Sheena Wrightsman Krause,
breastfeeding mother (breastfed for 8-11 months)

Blane was born 5 weeks premature, having premature lungs and pneumonia, requiring a blood transfusion and 2 1/2 weeks in NICU. I knew I needed to provide him with the best, BREAST MILK, but then learned that I wouldn't be able to breast feed him but I immediately asked what I needed to do to get MY milk to him while he was in NICU. I worked with the nurses during my 2-day stay in the hospital and began to pump breast milk for my son. Even though it didn't provide me the bonding experience, I was able to provide my premature boy with much needed breast milk through my pumping efforts. I continued this until Blane was 7 months old! And Blane is a happy, healthy, normal developing child who is entering 8th grade this year! :)

Ginger Gray,
breastfeeding mother

Bella is 7 1/2 months old and I'm still nursing. We have an amazing bond together and it's very rewarding. I think it's much easier than making a bottle, cleaning a bottle or spending all the time to feed with a bottle. As time has passed, the baby has figured out how to get all the milk she needs within 10 quick minutes. I save so much money nursing and I have filled up an entire deep freezer with milk I've pumped!!!

Courtney Crowley Morrill,
breastfeeding mother

Honestly, after 7 1/2 months, I'm scared to stop nursing, because it seems like the bottles or making a bottle during the night would be such a hassle!! Sounds funny, but, prop the baby on to nurse, relax, feed her and you're done! Mommy and baby are both happy!

Courtney Crowley Morrill,
breastfeeding mother

Breastfeeding was the most rewarding experience for me as a mom. Not only was I giving my babies the nutrition they needed, but also able to bond with them in a way no one else could. I nursed my oldest daughter up until 9 months when she weaned herself. To this day, my 4 year old has only been ill once.

Esperanza Singley,
breastfeeding twins

I was only able to nurse my twins for 3 months but am grateful I made it that long! Twins were so much harder, especially when they wanted to eat at the same time and I was by myself. The twins are now 6 months old and never been sick (knock on wood!). I really recommend all moms give nursing a try. Know going in that those first few weeks you may be sore and miserable, but the soreness goes away and you will come to look forward to nursing your baby. It comes to be the peaceful, relaxing time in your day.

Esperanza Singley,
breastfeeding twins

Breastfeeding is one of the most beautiful things in the world. We should all, fathers especially, support moms who do so. Kindness and love are in order. Shame on those who make women feel uncomfortable for breastfeeding in a public place.

José Marrero,
supportive father

My wife figured out how to breastfeed laying down while she slept for those late night feedings. Formula has been engineered to be as close to the nutritional value of breast milk, but it can never compare. Plus, those milk filled boobies are a joy.

Matt Stillwell,
supportive father

Not a father yet but, my wife is pregnant and I want her to breastfeed. It will allow my wife’s immune system to cover for new baby’s lack of a mature system for the first six months. Serious infection and disease is significantly higher during that period for non-nursed infants, and I am blessed that she wants to breastfeed our little one.

Mark Crone,
expectant father

My son has now been in the world longer than he was in my belly and he's exploring and venturing out farther than ever, and with that come tears over bumps, bruises and scares. And nothing is more magical to me than being able to make all the fear and pain go away just by holding him close and nursing him. Breastfeeding gives me the superpower that I can make everything OK. There's nothing better for a mom. I'm also pretty fine with the extra boob and flatter stomach despite late-night ice cream binges. Is that superficial or what?

Shayna Brown,
breastfeeding mother "Keats"

I breastfeed because it’s the best nutrition, the best start for my son. Someone told me breastfeeding is a way that God made sure moms would sit down and relax every few hours and bond with their little ones. Not to mention it helps with weight loss.

Hanadie Nur,
breastfeeding mother

God gave women breasts to feed their babies with. Cow milk is for cow babies. Cow babies need to stand and walk, run from danger much more quickly than human babies—therefore the cow's milk is not made like human milk. The protein in human milk is much easier to digest (to name one thing). The antibodies in human milk, the nutrition is THE perfect food. I wish so many people would not see it as taboo or disgusting. I wouldn't trade the experience for a million dollars.

Melissa Snodgrass Light,
breastfeeding mother

It's FREE ! It's always ready, portable and heated! (LOL). Nothing to sanitize, no parts to buy, no powders to mix up and no bottles to heat in the middle of the night.

Melissa Snodgrass Light,
breastfeeding mother

My reasons to breastfeed are mainly selfish. (1) I can eat ice-cream every day and still lose weight. (2) It's so much easier than a bottle, lift up shirt and it's lunch time! (3) There's no feeling in the world like the one when your little one is snuggling next to your boob trying to be cute right before feeding time.

Yee-Ming Siu Cheng,
breastfeeding mother

I have a disclaimer too: Breastfeeding was not easy at first... and the lactation consultant lied when she said it didn't hurt, it hurt for the first week at least. But it gets easier and it STOPS hurting.

Yee-Ming Siu Cheng,
breastfeeding mother

I always knew that I would breastfeed. It's in my personality; the determination, the patience, the drive for health benefits not only for me but baby too and the lack of energy to do unnecessary things like fussing over the mess of bottles and formula prep time. I also notice the smell of formula fed babies and that they tend to spit up more than breast babies and am thankful for my babies clean scent and all the spit rags I don’t need to clean.

Kelli Smith,
breastfeeding mother

It was the last thing I could do of my body to give my babies the best chance of a healthy, happy and strong life and to be physically connected in a way that nurtured them.

Klaudia Flanigan,
breastfeeding mother

I breastfed my daughter for her first 2 weeks. I was not able to continue to due a health problem but I feel that those first 2 weeks were the most important in helping aid in her development. It was not only a bonding experience but I felt that I was able to pass along something very special that ONLY A MOM can give their child and that is a healthy start in life through the colostrum in the breast milk.

Londa Dennings,
breastfeeding mother

I breastfed my first son for 27 months (2+ years) and am currently breastfeeding my second son. Not only do I know I am giving them something that is nutritionally perfect for them, but the bond I have with my older son and the way my 2 1/2 month old looks at me while I feed him is pure love and trust, nothing could replace that.

Megan Tandberg,
breastfeeding mother

Breastfeeding was a huge deal for me. It was so hard but so worth it. My son was born with Down Syndrome and I thought it was critical for him to breastfeed for all the immunities I was able to supply him with. I really think that the dedication on my part helped him in many ways. One in which he has still (almost 3 years old) never had an ear infection. It was great for me because I wanted to lose my baby weight as soon as possible. The bond that breastfeeding creates is like no other. I feel like everyone should breastfeed their babies.

Leah Hollenbeck,
WIC mom, breastfeeding mother

I went to the WIC office almost everyday for free help nursing. My son was born with Down Syndrome. It really was what kept me going. I needed that help and it was there for me for FREE.

Leah Hollenbeck,
WIC mom, breastfeeding mother

I ask that all mothers breastfeed their newborns exclusively for six months and then to continue breastfeeding for at least twelve months.

Dr. Ari Brown

Breastfeeding allows moms to miss fewer days of work by not having to go to the doctor as frequently because the baby is healthier.

Dr. Ari Brown

Breast milk has huge benefits for premature babies. It offers the best nutrition to help them gain weight and gives antibodies that fight infection. While your baby is in the NICU, giving bottles of pumped breast milk can help you feel connected to your baby. And, when your baby is ready to come home, you will be all set to breastfeed.

Dr. Sonny Riviera

Breast milk is the most important thing you can give your baby. Unlike formula, breast milk is all natural. It’s a perfect match for baby’s nutritional needs at different stages of development.

Anh Gordon, M.D.

It’s the best thing I could ever do for my baby. It’s already made and no mess.

Leanne South,
breastfeeding mother

To quote a friend of mine: I don't think a mom chooses to breastfeed her baby, she just can choose not to.

Allison Kennedy,
breastfeeding mother

Quite simply I'm lazy, no bottles to make up, no sterilizing, no cost, food on the go. No, is it too hot or too cold. It’s always the right temperature. It’s a babies right to breastfeed. The protection of a baby shouldn't stop once they are born and only breastfeeding continues that protection.

Joanne Jackson,
breastfeeding mother

I'm a teen mom. I have no money. My boobs were free. Bottles and formula are not.

Alexx Suderman,
teen breastfeeding mother