Why Breast is Best: The Importance of Breastfeeding

Before I get into this topic, I want to mention that not every mom gets the luxury of breastfeeding. Whether it’s because of physical, personal or financial reasons, sometimes breastfeeding isn’t possible. We have to work with what we can and no one should feel “mom-guilt” or “parent-guilt” for not having breastfed their child. You have 18 years of properly prepared nutrient-dense foods to make up for it (that’s almost 20,000 meals). At the end of this post, I provide better baby formula solutions.

My son Aiden just turned 3 and he is still breastfeeding. I know most days I joke that it’s hard work and I can’t wait to get him to wean. In fact, there has never been a day in his life that I have not nursed him to bed at night. Yes, not one day off for over 1,100 days. There are days that I hope my milk will dry up. I recently did a 7-day extended salt + water fast and I nursed through the entire fast. Our bodies are incredible. I DO NOT advocate fasting for the first year of nursing. I was fully comfortable if my milk dried up as he was almost 3.

But just between us, I enjoy nursing. Yes, some days are hard. But most days, I get to have one extra day of this incredible experience with my son. I can feel the strengthening of our relationship and the relaxing oxytocins being released. My body has literally nursed him to thrive and it’s an incredible bonding experience. My son and our boppy have 1,100 days of memories that no one will ever understand.