I’ve spent 576,000 minutes on average nursing my babies over the last 20 years. I’ve had good experiences and bad. But with each new baby I’ve learned many tactics that have helped me over the years on my journey to nourish my child’s first year of life.

Here are a few facts about nursing ……..

1.  Breastfeeding may reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Recent studies showed that pre-menopausal women who breastfed their children were 50 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, compared to women who did not nurse their children.
2. Breastfeeding has a calming effect on mommas. When your baby nurses, your body releases the hormone oxytocin, which causes calmness, even sleepiness.
3. Breastfeeding is a great pain reliever and soother. Your milk contains endorphins which soothe and calm babies during times of stress. This comes in very handy during vaccinations, injuries, illnesses, or when your baby just needs that special cuddle
4. Those endorphins during breastfeeding also benefit you–this is why breastfeeding mothers report being happier, less tired and having less post-partum depression. .
5. Breastfeeding burns calories. While you sit and relax with your baby you are also burning up to an extra 500 calories per day. So the ideal way to lose weight without the exercise!
6. Breastfeeding reduces your babies exposure to sugar. the only sugar a baby should have or even needs, is lactose. This is the harmless sugar found in breast milk. sucrose is the alternative and can cause damage to erupting teeth.
7. Breastfeeding contributes to a better environment. Breastfeeding is energy efficient – no need to boil water,wash, or sterilize.  Less waste with breastfeeding.
8. Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria. In fact, it has antibacterial properties.
9. Your milk contains healthy bacteria, antibodies, white blood cells, antimicrobials and cell wall protectors — which is the science behind why exclusively breastfed babies have a significantly lower risk of contracting infections.
10. Breast milk has never been recalled. Formula has been, sometimes after causing injury or death.
11. It’s what breasts were designed for!

 Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Continue reading part two for resources I recommend for easier breastfeeding.