by Amanda M Koenig

Created on: February 24, 2010

I breastfed my daughter for lots of reasons. But one of the main reasons (as selfish as it sounds) was because I wanted a bond with her like no other could have with her. And we have have that bond. I always wanted a daughter and I always thought I would breastfeed if I was ever given the chance to have kids. It was an easy decision because of all the benefits of breast milk versus formula. They say formula feeding is the easy way to go, but I disagree highly. I would not want to wake up every two hours at night, in the middle of winter, in the cold to make a bottle while the baby is screaming. To me, breastfeeding came very natural and very easily. It was easy to pull my daughter close at night and cuddle her and kiss her forehead while we laid in bed together. I got to spend so much time cuddling and comforting her. I loved it.

Formula is a great alternative for women who cannot breastfeed. But for women who can, breastfeeding is such a strong way to build a close knit bond with your baby. I have seen where a baby is layed down with a bottle propped up on a pillow and I think its so sad. A baby is supposed to be cuddled and loved on and kissed often. And feeding time is an important time for baby and mommy both. A woman who breastfeeds sheds the baby weight faster than mothers who don't breastfeed too. Which was just a bonus to me. I didn't care if it made me fatter, breastfeeding was something very important for me to be able to give my daughter, and now my son.

Breastfeeding is free, unlike formula and that's a bonus too.Along with the fact you don't have to make bottles, wash bottles, take bottles, pack bottles. And breastfed baby's poop smells less stinky and their spit up smells less as well.

Of all those reasons, the bond with my daughter is what I wanted mostly. I already knew breastfeeding her was the best health-wise for her. God gives women breast milk for a reason. It's to feed our babies with. So for me, it was an easy choice. I wish all women would try it for a month before deciding to not do it. It does hurt at first, but the bond is so worth the pain.

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