Breastfeeding (nursing) is the natural process of a woman feeding a newborn or toddler with the milk that comes from the breasts. The mammary gland is made up of a system of alveoli cells in the female breast that produce milk. Nearing the end of a pregnancy, swollen breasts and lactation (secreting breast milk) occur. These are the signs that the mammary gland is ready to produce milk for when your baby is born. When the mammary gland is stimulated by hormones, it contracts and pushes milk into the milk ducts. The milk ducts are tubes that carry breast milk from the alveoli cells to the nipple. The nipple is the outer part of the breast where the milk is secreted. Babies have an instinctive sucking urge when they are born. This sucking squeezes the breast milk into the baby's mouth.

There are many benefits of breastfeeding to the baby. The complete nutrition needed to help a baby develop property is contained in a mother's breast milk. This milk contains the perfect amounts of needed water, fat, sugar, and protein. This means that breast milk is more easily digested by the baby than formula. Believe it or not a study done proved that babies who are breastfed have higher IQ's than those who are not. Breast milk has been biologically engineered over millions of years; so it makes sense that breast milk could stimulate a baby's mind.

Nursing babies actually get sick less often, causing less need for doctor visits. This is due to the fact that breast milk contains natural antibodies that fight against bacteria. Babies who are breastfed have fewer problems, such as: diarrhea, breathing issues, and ear infections. Also a woman's breast is more sterile (clean) than a bottle. The infant mortality rate is 79% higher for babies who are nursed.

There are many benefits of breastfeeding to the mother as well. Breastfeeding can do any of the following: help a mother lose the weight that was gained during pregnancy, stop menstrual cycles from returning so quickly after pregnancy, reduce the risk of breast cancer, save you time and money from bothering with formula and bottles, and actually creates a better bond between you and your baby. If you choose not to breastfeed, you can still use your breast milk with the use of breast milk pumps, which are machines that force your milk to be secreted. The milk can then be stored and fed to your baby through a bottle. Breast milk should be stored in 2-4 ounce increments and can only be stored in the refrigerator for a week or the freezer for up to two weeks.