The ABCs of Breastfeeding

"I had always planned to breastfeed, but no one seemed to agree with my decision," says Laura Jones, mother of one, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "My husband thought if I breastfed, he wouldn't get to feed the baby. My mother warned me that I'd get sore nipples. I tried to ask my doctor some questions, but all he said was, "Try it if you want. The nurse will give you some pamphlets."

Despite these discouraging responses, Laura was confident she was making the right decision. "I knew there were many benefits for the baby. I borrowed a book from a friend who breastfed her children and took my questions to the midwife in my doctor's practice. I did get an inflamed breast, but a lactation consultant gave me pointers and it only lasted a few days. My husband brought Morgan to me for middle-of-the night feedings, so he felt involved. Even my mother acknowledged that the baby was growing well and rarely got sick," Laura continues proudly. Laura breastfed Morgan until she was 11 months old. Breastfeeding isn't as easy as the pictures of serene mothers feeding their newborns would have you believe, nor as hard as some of the old wives' tales may suggest. It does take some work and practice to get both you and your baby used to each other, but the benefits for mom and baby are definitely worth it!