Breastfeeding is the single most important thing you can do to make sure that your child's immune system becomes solid. And the best part is, it's readily available and free.

Busy but breastfeeding

I've always known that breastfeeding was important for my kids, thanks to my parents and parents-in-law. So when I had my first baby before med school, I made sure that he got my colostrum (the very rich milk that comes out one to two days after giving birth) that's filled with infection-fighting antibodies. I made time to give him my breast milk even while I was busy studying. Needless to say, I tried my best to breastfeed all my four kids—Jalvi, who's now 26 years old, Jotsy, 21, Jinni, 16, and Judith, 14—and I am so proud to say that they all grew up smart, strong and healthy. I don't think any formula milk can beat that!

No milk?

There are many working moms who tell me that that they've decided to give their babies milk formula

• because they think stress makes their breast milk inferior,
• because they don't have enough milk,
• they're simply too busy to breastfeed.

I tell them that they're wrong.

First off, stress does not make your milk inferior. It may alter the taste of your milk, but the health benefits it contains does not lessen. In short, it affects the production of milk and not the quality of milk. Second, most women have more than enough milk. In fact, if you breastfeed early and often, you will produce more milk. Did you know breastfeeding within an hour after birth can prevent 22% of deaths among babies below one month? Yes, breastfeeding early and exclusively can save more than a million babies! So I always encourage moms to breastfeed early and have their babies roomed in. Rooming in means having the baby in the mother's room 24 hours a day. This allows for early mother-child bonding as well as easier and more successful initiation to breastfeeding. As for the last point, all I can say is, I got through med school, internship,and residency plus all my extra-curricular and socio-civic activities while producing breast milk for my babies (with the help of a good old breast pump). So busy is no excuse. You'll just have to make time for it. If you have to, talk to your boss or HR about getting a lactation break. Some corporations even have "lactation" or "breastfeeding" rooms or lounges in their offices.

Overcoming pain

A lot of women complain of pain when breastfeeding. Again, this may be blamed on poor latching. The trick is to find a position that's comfortable for you and your baby. His tummy should face your tummy, his mouth should cover most of your areola, and his lips must be turned out. Dryness can lead to cracked nipples, so just wash your breasts with warm water (avoid using soap) and air dry them by wearing a loose shirt and no bras. Should your breasts get engorged (swollen and painful because of infrequent emptying), a warm bath or compress may help. Admittedly, I experienced a little tenderness when I was breastfeeding but it wasn't so bad that it made me want to drop it altogether. I just kept on thinking that the soreness was well worth the wonders breast milk will do for my child.

Breast milk is Mother Nature's best gift to us. It has all the nutrients needed to make children's immune system solid. So to all you moms (and moms-to-be), remember to read and research about the many benefits of breastfeeding and rooming in. Spread the word to your friends and loved ones. Let's not allow this precious gift go to waste.