Finally, the babies in this study were fed mother's milk through special tubes because they were unable to suckle. If premature babies were able to obtain milk directly from the mother, it's not unreasonable to assume that the emotional warmth and closeness of nursing would add to the brain building nutritional qualities of mother's milk.

Nursing your baby obviously benefits his health. But what about yours? There are several reasons why, as a mother, you should take advantage of the many pluses of breast feeding.

1. Physical health. Nursing helps your uterus contract back to normal size.

2. A healthy self image. For many women, nursing helps them lose their "baby" fat.

3. Emotional health. Nursing brings you closer to your baby. Because nursing gives you lots of cuddling time with your child,
   it can help you gain confidence as a parent.

4. Financial health. Nursing is cheaper than formula.

5. Stress and health. Breast milk is much easier to prepare than formula.

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2. Worthington-Roberts BS et al. Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation. St. Louis: Times Mirror/Mosby, 1985.

3. Taren D, Chen J. A positive association between extended breast-feeding and nutritional status in rural Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1993;58:862-7.

4. van den Bogaard C, van den Hoogen HJM, Huygen FJA, van Weel C. The relationship between breast-feeding and early childhood morbidity in a general population. Family Medicine 1991 Sept/Oct;23:510-15.

5. Goldman AS. The immune system of human milk: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties.
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6. Saarinen UM. Prolonged breast feeding as prophylaxis for recurrent otitis media.
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7. Backon J. Prolonged breast feeding as a prophylaxis for recurrent otitis media: relevance of prostaglandins.
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8. Lucas A, Morley R, Cole TJ et al. Early diet in preterm babies and developmental status at 18 months.
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9. Lucas A, Morley R, Cole TJ et al. Breast milk and subsequent intelligence quotient in children born preterm.
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