10 Reasons Breastfeeding Is Awesome

Here's why “breast is best.”

Got Milk? - Everyone has heard the saying “breast is best,” but do you know why? This National Breastfeeding Month we look at the reasons breastfeeding rocks — for you and your little one. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Got Milk? - Everyone has heard the saying “breast is best,” but do you know why? This National Breastfeeding Month we look at the reasons breastfeeding rocks — for you and your little one. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Got Milk?

It Helps You Bond - Nursing and oxytocin go hand in hand, and that fab hormone helps you fall in love with the wrinkly new person who seems to relish jacking up your sleep. Bonus: oxytocin also helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size more quickly. (Photo: Nicole Hill/Rubberball/Corbis)

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It Helps You Bond

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You’ll Drop the Baby Fat Faster

Your Baby Will Be Healthier - Breast milk boosts your little one’s immune system and provides protection from the ickies. And girls who are given formula have a greater chance of developing breast cancer as adults than those who had breast milk, even for a little while. Plus, breast milk is linked to lower risk of SIDS and obesity and slashes your child’s chances of developing allergies, asthma, ear infections and much more. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Your Baby Will Be Healthier

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Do Be Mindful of People’s Money - If you’re ballin’, that’s great, but not everyone else is. So think twice before you decide to pop bottles and expect everyone to split the check evenly. While it may be uncomfortable, keep it real with your crew and ask them how much they are trying to spend so that people can decide if they want to partake or sit out. (Photo: Jamie Grill/Tetra Images/Corbis)

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You’ll Save Money

You Will Be Healthier - Nursing lowers your chances of breast cancer, and the longer you do it, the more your risk drops. This protection is boosted even more for women who breastfeed young. Nursing also drops your chances of developing osteoporosis in your old age. (Photo: Hero Images/Hero Images Inc./Hero Images/Corbis)

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You Will Be Healthier

You’ll Save Time - When your baby is howling with hunger, would you rather be able to pop your breast in her mouth or have to go make a bottle? Bonus: You’ll have tons of space in your bag if you can leave bottles on the shelf. (Photo: Grant Difford/Great Stock/Corbis)

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You’ll Save Time

Your Kid Will Be a More Adventurous Eater - The taste of breast milk varies based on what you eat. Experts say that tasting those different flavors as an infant will make your little one more accepting of solid foods.  (Photo: Mike Kemp/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Your Kid Will Be a More Adventurous Eater

Photo By Photo: Mike Kemp/Blend Images/Corbis

Your Kid Will Be Smarter - Research shows that the longer you breastfeed your baby, the higher her IQ, the farther she’ll go with her education, and the better her grades.  (Photo: Kevin Dodge/Corbis)

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Your Kid Will Be Smarter

Your Kid Will Be Richer - Studies show that kids who breastfed for 12 or more months grow up to earn about 20 percent more than their peers. (Photo: Michael Goldman/Masterfile/Corbis)

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Your Kid Will Be Richer

Photo By Photo: Michael Goldman/Masterfile/Corbis