National Breastfeeding Month has arrived!

If you didn’t know there was a month commemorating breastfeeding awareness, likely you are not alone. It’s something that most new mothers do, and most everyone is aware of it, right? For the most part, yes, but knowing about the health aspects of breastfeeding is different than just knowing it exists — especially for new and expectant mothers. And so, we have an awareness month! (There’s even an awareness week!)

From educating moms on the health benefits of the nipple vs. the bottle, to helpful hints on how develop the practice (latch on already, kid!), there is a bevy of info to inform and delight out there. (And if you want to get super technical, the Centers for Disease Control has a lot of great info about milk storage, vaccines and more.) So, let’s take a look:

More mothers than ever are now educated about the many benefits of breastfeeding. They are legion: first off, it is the best delivery system by far for your baby to get the vital nutrients it needs. Mothers’ milk is packed with vitamins, immunoglobulin, and antibodies that bolster the infant immune system. This is why the American Pediatric Associationrecommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of the child’s life.

Studies show that breastfed babies are less prone to colds and ear infection and sometimes even less likely to develop allergies. Breastfeeding also seems to protect against certain childhood cancers. Nature is a complex mechanism, and for all the advances in pediatric medicine and nutrition, nothing has as yet beaten breastfeeding for overall development of a healthy child.

But what about Mom’s health? Here too, breastfeeding is the way to go. Postpartum depression is a very real thing, and most mothers are susceptible to bouts of anxiety and worry. Breastfeeding releases the oxytocin, which stimulates relaxation and nurturing. Furthermore, studies show that women who breastfeed for up to a year are less apt to develop breast and ovarian cancer.

Beyond even all this, there is the undeniable bonding between mother and child. The emotional and stabilizing effects of this cannot be quantified. The baby feels secure and cared for, the mother feels linked with her child in a very real and tangible way.

OK, so breastfeeding is natural, right? Doesn’t mean it’s a snap. There are lots of challenges involved, from the baby stubbornly refusing to latch on, to certain downsides of regular breastfeeding — chafed nipples, sore breasts, etc. There is help for that, a number of tips both scientific and homeopathic to practice the practice in ease and comfort.

Of course it should be noted that not all my moms can breastfeed. Some have lactation levels that are too low to make it a viable option, and in some cases the baby just refuses to take to it. That’s OK: mothering is more than breastfeeding. Just educate yourself on the best alternatives available to make sure your child is getting the proper nutrients and emotional support.