Breast Friends

Need a little help nursing your baby? We've got simple, tried-and-true advice from women who've been there.

Don't quit out of frustration

Think of the benefits I had mastitis, blocked ducts, cracked and bleeding nipples, and babies who didn't latch on.The only thing that kept me going through those first few weeks was the thought of the incredible health benefits: a decreased risk of diabetes, allergies and asthma for them; a lower risk of breast cancer and weight loss for me.
-- Laurie Powers, Fayetteville, N.C.; mother of Alec, 11; and Avery, 7

Buy yourself some free time It's OK to give your baby an occasional bottle of formula. It allows your spouse to participate in feedings, it combats the "Oh my god, I'm almost out of frozen milk" panic and it can be used as a midnight feeding--which might let you get a few hours of sleep. And it gives your nipples a freaking break!
-- Jenna Coito