You probably know by now the many nutritional benefits breastfeeding can offer your baby. But did you know that breastfeeding also offer moms invaluable health advantages? These are just some of the many interesting things you may not know about breastfeeding.

You may reduce your risk of having breast cancer by simply nursing

Studies on breastfeeding show that pre-menopausal women who breastfed were 50% less likely to develop breast cancer. Research also found a relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and reduction the risk rate. This is especially true for women who breastfed for over a year. Women who were nursed as infants are also less prone to developing breast cancer later in life.

Your breast size does not give an indication of how much milk you have

When it comes to producing milk, size does not matter. Breast size has a lot to do with how much fatty tissue is present. Being less endowed does not mean less milk. All women's breasts have mammary glands that produce milk. So whether you're a cup A or a cup C, you have no reason to worry about not being able to produce enough milk for your baby.

Your baby's nose knows your milk's unique scent

Babies have a strong sense of smell. When you hold your baby close to you, have you ever noticed him automatically zero in on your breast? That's because he has a sophisticated radar system built into his tiny little body that tells him, this is mommy's milk. And this is how nature intended it to allow for a strong nursing bond.

You become sensitive and responsive to your baby's needs when nursing

A woman's intuition becomes sharper when she breastfeeds. Some women say that their breasts leak when they think about their baby or when they hear him crying.

There's so much more to breastfeeding than just feeding your child. It has numerous health benefits not only for your baby but also for you. So make sure you read up on breast milk and breastfeeding—you'll be surprised at how much you will learn!